News, Politics

Income tax upheld; pot penalties cut

In addition to voting for the next U.S. president, Massachusetts’ voters answered three questions at the polls Tuesday to keep the state income tax, decriminalize marijuana and ban greyhound gambling.

Question 1, which was sponsored by the Committee for Small Government, would have reduced the state income tax rate to 2.65 percent and then ultimately abolish the state income tax by Jan. 1, 2010. After failing to get a similar law passed in 2002, the CSG attempted to remove the income tax again this year, but residents overwhelmingly opposed removing it yesterday.

Boston resident John Glick was a part of the 30 percent of voters who wanted to remove the state income tax. He said that he voted yes because, in times of economic stress, the local government needs to aid its residents.

‘State income tax is already too expensive and we need more of a small government when there are toll takers making $75,000 and police flaggers making $125,000,’ Glick said.’

However, Massachusetts’ lawmakers and opponents of Question 1, like Boston resident Shirley Lin did not want to eliminate a tax that accounts for 40 percent of the state’s income.

‘I think the state tax needs to get money from somewhere so I voted no. I also think the money is important for schools,’ she said.

In a surprising landslide victory, Massachusetts workers also’ decriminalized the possession of marijuana in the state with Question 2 on the ballot. The new law replaces the criminal penalties for the possession of one ounce or less of marijuana with a new system of civil penalties that include a fine and a possible drug awareness program depending on the age of the person caught with marijuana.’

Back Bay resident Paolo Gonzalez said a vote for decriminalization only condones illegal marijuana use.

‘I’m against drug possession of any kind or the protection of those who have drugs,’ Gonzalez said.’

But the majority of voters, like Colleen Mizzi, viewed decriminalization as an opportunity to decrease the number of people in prisons and reduce the burden on the Massachusetts legal system.

‘It’s sad that it’s taken so long to decriminalize marijuana,’ Mizzi said. ‘Punishing people with small amounts of marijuana is just a waste of energy for our legal system.’

Question 3 prompted 56 percent of Massachusetts’ voters to ban greyhound racing in the state. The yes vote prohibited any dog races in which gambling occurs and allots a penalty of 20,000 to any individual who violates this law. The changes will take effect Jan. 1, 2010.

Boston resident Lorry Spitzer said he agreed with Question 3 because he opposes gambling in any form.

‘I didn’t just vote for the dog’s sake, though. I’m against anything that involves gambling,’ he said.

Staff writers Lauren Finch and Vanessa Santos contributed reporting to this article.

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One Comment

  1. Well… speeding is not legal either, the fine for that is 100$. Just think next time your going 30 in a 25 your doing something just as bad as smoking pot under the law, go above 35 and your going to get a bigger penalty than a recreational pot smoker. Lets not forget the $50 surcharge for a ticket as well. But speeding kills lives, pot smoking doesn’t, it doesn’t even increase the risk of lung cancer.