In addition to candidates for state office, Belmont residents will have the following questions on our ballot. These are the endorsements of Belmont Briefing.
QUESTION 1: The “Millionaire’s Tax”
The proposed constitutional amendment will impose an additional 4% tax on that portion of incomes over $1 million. The revenue will be used, subject to appropriation by the state legislature, on education and transportation.
WHY VOTE NO:
- This adds an 80% surcharge tax on some high-income earners, small businesses, and retirees.
- If you sell your home, you could trigger the tax hike.
- If you earn $1.5M, the first $1M is taxed at the current rate of 5%, and the additional $500,000 is taxed at 9%.
- The YES side claims the higher income tax would increase state spending for “transportation” and “education” needs, but this is not a true statement.
- Only the Massachusetts legislature can determine how to spend taxpayer money and there is no guarantee this tax hike would result in higher state spending for these needs.
QUESTION 4: Drivers Licenses for Illegal Immigrants
A Yes vote will keep in place the law (passed on May 26, 2022), which would allow Massachusetts residents who cannot provide proof of lawful presence in the United States to obtain a driver’s license or permit.
WHY VOTE NO:
The Legislature has worked very hard to OBFUSCATE this issue, even titling it something it does not resemble. This law is EXTREMELY troubling because:
- A Massachusetts driver’s license would no longer confirm that a person is who they say they are.
- This law ALLOWS illegal immigrants to vote in our elections.
Below is the HISTORY related to this law.
- 1993 Original Motor Voter law:
- The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 enables individuals to register to vote AT or THROUGH the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
- 2020 January Automatic Voter Registration:
- Signed into law by Charlie Baker in 2018.
- Every transaction at the RMV and Agencies like MassHealth will automatically register individuals to vote, IF ELIGIBLE by RMV standards.
- However, individuals COULD OPT OUT.
- 2022 VOTES ACT:
- Signed into law by Charlie Baker in June 22, 2022.
- Under this law, individuals can NO LONGER OPT OUT of Automatic Voter Registration.
- 2022 Driver’s Licenses for Undocumented residents:
- Passed by the Massachusetts legislature on May 26, 2022. Not a single Republican voted for it.
- Vetoed by Governor Baker
- Override of VETO by Massachusetts legislature and made into law.
- Referendum to Repeal the Above Law: NOVEMBER BALLOT QUESTION 4. VOTE NO.
QUESTION 5: Library Debt Exclusion
See what the experts have to say about Library rehabilitation – $5M vs. $39M! Please share the link to this latest great document here: https://www.notthislibrary.org/repairnotreplace
QUESTION 6: Skating Rink Debt Exclusion
Additional Endorsements for State Office
- Geoff Diehl for Governor,
- Leah Cole Allen for Lieutenant Governor
- Jay McMahon for Attorney General – Twitter
- Rayla Campbell for Secretary of State
- Caroline Colorusso for US House Mass District 5