Opinion from CommonWealth Beacon - CommonWealth Voices

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Question 7 is fair because it spreads the burden of building housing

Nobody wants denser housing built only near them, so no city or town wants to be the only one that builds.

by Adam Guren

We’re retired law enforcement officers. Don’t turn back the clock on cannabis reform.

by Diane Goldstein and Karen Hawkes

Question 5 would lead to deep cuts in services that communities rely on

by Peter Enrich and Jessica Tang

When we have the chance to prevent tragedy, why would we take it away?

The question before Massachusetts voters cannot be reduced to whether firearm regulations should be more or less restrictive—it is whether the Commonwealth should preserve an additional pathway for intervention when credible warning signs are present.

by Annie Buck

Many voters can’t name a single major accomplishment of Gov. Healey’s. Here’s one that has flown under the radar: saving public transit.

Gov. Healey has taken crucial steps to reverse the downward trajectory our transit systems were on. Part of the reason why this has gone unnoticed is that there remains so much to do to bring our transit systems up to the level that users deserve.

by Fred Salvucci

Question 3 would let voters reclaim their voice

Question 3 moves the final decision from the elections that most people ignore to the ones that have high participation

by Paul Schimek

Question 3 would bring California’s primary problems to Massachusetts

Democracy reform is personal for me. The first time I walked into the State House, I was a 16-year-old youth organizer advocating for our civics education bill with other Gateway City kids.

by Andy Vargas

All-party primaries would be a step backwards for Massachusetts

Question 3 would eliminate the ability of Bay State parties to police the use of their party labels by candidates in elections and sever the only meaningful accountability link between candidates/officeholders and party platforms.

by Jerold Duquette and Lawrence Friedman

The 2024 gun law has saved lives. A yes vote on Question 9 will keep it in place.

The law focuses on the root causes of gun violence to make all Massachusetts communities safer – and it is working.

by Cynthia Creem and Michael Day

Think capping ticket prices will save you money? Think again.

Gov. Healey is right to look at this issue. Unfortunately, the proposal included in her supplemental budget bill, called “The Great Divide Act,” will likely only make the problem worse.

by John Breyault

Ticket prices are out of control. Gov. Healey’s bill will make them worse.

We should be fighting against that market domination, not enacting legislation that further enables it.

by Tommy Dorfman

The crucial marijuana question not on the ballot: Why has Massachusetts failed to educate the public on the harmful effects of cannabis and monitor the impact of its growing use, especially on young people?

Despite clear evidence that cannabis has had negative health effects in Massachusetts, our state has done little to survey and confront these harmful consequences.