A coalition called Raise Up Massachusetts has started started an initiative to put two ballot questions before the voters in November, 2014. This coalition is made up of Jobs with Justice, community groups and many of the labor unions.
http://raiseupma.org/
http://www.massjwj.net/
One of these would raise the minimum wage in the state in two stages, reaching $10.50/hr in 2016. Now when filing for an initiative, the proposal must be signed by ten registered voters. It is worth checking out the first signer on the petition:
Elizabeth A. Warren (street address) Cambridge
That great progressive champion, the Senior Senator from Massachusetts, has endorsed this proposal, but it won’t be an easy road. A high bar is set for passing laws by ballot initiative, as it should be. 100,000 valid signatures are needed to place this question before the voters in 2014.
This coming Tuesday, October 15, there will be a primary in the Fifth Congressional District to fill the seat vacated by Ed Markey, recently elected to the Senate. Volunteers will be out at many polling places collecting signatures. If you favor this proposal, (and I will discuss some of the merits below), your help is needed.
Speaking of Ed Markey, there is another initiative to provide sick time for many workers who don’t have it now. The first signer on that petition:
Edward J. Markey (street address) Malden
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