Ballot initiatives include toll repeal, sales tax cut

Daily News Tribune: MetroWest residents who hope to curb state spending are helping back some of the fiscally driven ballot initiatives proposed for the November 2010 state election. Four people from Framingham, Marlborough, Hudson and Sudbury are among 13 who signed a petition for a ballot initiative to eliminate road tolls. "This initiative petition is a way for the grass roots to take control back of some of their money and to tell state government and transportation folks you have to live within your means," said Ed McGrath of Framingham. Chairman of the Republican Town Committee, he signed the toll repeal proposal. Wayland's Carla Howell, of the anti-tax Center for Small Government, has submitted a range of ballot questions seeking to cut the recently hiked 6.25 percent state sales tax to anywhere from 5 percent to 2.5 percent. Yesterday was the deadline to file at least 10 signatures with Attorney General Martha Coakley's office to propose a ballot question for next fall's state election.

Other submissions include initiatives to lift a cap on the number of public charter schools, repeal the state's Chapter 40B affordable housing law and eliminate a tax on alcohol sales. Another measure would shield state aid for cities and towns from budget cuts, and others would limit carbon dioxide emissions allowed from renewable and alternative energy sources. Coakley's office will decide if the proposals are constitutional. If so, organizers can start gathering at least 66,593 signatures Sept. 16. Proponents have to file petitions with local officials by Nov. 18 and file with Galvin's office Dec. 2. Unless the Legislature approves a proposal by May 4, proponents then have to gather another 11,099 signatures by early July.

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