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Massachusetts Question 5, Changes to Local Aid Fund Distribution Initiative (1990)
| Massachusetts Question 5 | |
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| Election date |
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| Topic Local government finance and taxes and Restricted-use funds |
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| Status |
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| Type Indirect initiated state statute |
Origin |
Massachusetts Question 5 was on the ballot as an indirect initiated state statute in Massachusetts on November 6, 1990. It was approved.
A “yes” vote supported changing how the state distributes the Local Aid Fund to cities and towns, including:
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A “no” vote opposed changing how the state distributes the Local Aid Fund to cities and towns. |
Election results
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Massachusetts Question 5 |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
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1,242,270 | 56.68% | ||
| No | 949,561 | 43.32% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Question 5 was as follows:
| “ | Do you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives before May 2, 1990? | ” |
Ballot summary
The ballot summary for this measure was:
| “ |
This proposed law would regulate the distribution to cities and towns of the Local Aid Fund, which consists of at least 40% of the revenue generated by the state income, sales, and corporate taxes, as well as the balance of the State Lottery Fund. Subject to appropriation by the legislature, the State Treasurer would distribute the Local Aid Fund to cities and towns on a quarterly basis, and each city or town would receive at least the same amount of local aid it received in the previous fiscal year unless the total Local Aid Fund decreases. In fiscal year 1992, if there has been any increase over the fiscal year 1989 fund, half of the increase would be distributed in accordance with the distribution formula used for fiscal year 1989, and half would be distributed to each city and town in proportion to its population. In each year after 1992, if the fund increases, the excess would be distributed through a formula devised by the state Secretary of Administration and Finance, with the advice and consent of the Local Government Advisory Committee. If the fund decreases after 1992, each town or city will have the amount it receives decreased by the same percentage. This proposed law also requires that the Treasurer publish an annual report about the Local Aid Fund, that the state Auditor publish an annual audit of the Account, and that the Secretary of Administration and Finance issue to each city and town an estimate of funds it will receive from the Local Aid Fund. Each city or town would be allowed to bring a lawsuit to force distribution of the account, and would be entitled to a late payment fee if distribution is not timely. | ” |
Full Text
The full text of this measure is available here.
Path to the ballot
An indirect initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are nine (9) states that allow citizens to initiate indirect state statutes.
While a direct initiative is placed on the ballot once supporters file the required number of valid signatures, an indirect initiative is first presented to the state legislature. Legislators have a certain number of days, depending on the state, to adopt the initiative into law. Should legislators take no action or reject the initiative, the initiative is put on the ballot for voters to decide.
In Massachusetts, the number of signatures required for an indirect initiated state statute is equal to 3% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. Massachusetts also has a distribution requirement that requires no more than 25% of the certified signatures on any petition can come from a single county.
The state Legislature has until the first Wednesday of May in the election year to pass the statute. If the legislature does not pass the proposed statute, proponents must collect a second round of signatures equal to 0.5% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. The Legislature also has the power to place an alternative measure alongside the proposed statute via a simple majority vote of the state legislature.
A simple majority vote is required for voter approval. However, the number of affirmative votes cast for the measure must be greater than 30% of the votes cast in the election.
See also
External links
Footnotes
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State of Massachusetts Boston (capital) |
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