“Progressive group stakes out position on ballot questions” — Andy Metzger, State House News Service (9/1/2016)

**

Progressive Massachusetts, a political nonprofit, has endorsed ballot questions that would legalize marijuana and restrict animal products sold in the state, and opposed measures that could open the door to an additional slots parlor and more charter schools.

The group, which has about 350 members according to its president, voted “overwhelmingly” to join the campaign opposing Question 2, which would allow for 12 new or newly expanded charter schools annually, regardless of the existing statutory cap.

“I think there’s a recognition, particularly on Question 2, that public schools are a community benefit, and that really having an unlimited drain of funding without local democratic control isn’t something to build communities,” Josh Tauber, a Somerville Democrat and Progressive Massachusetts volunteer who chairs the group’s elections and endorsement committee, told the News Service.

Charter proponents note the schools are public and say limits on charters exclude students in troubled districts from educational choice.

Susan Davidoff, the president of Progressive Massachusetts, said the group has been around for five years, has chapters around the state, and has worked to support a surtax on high earners, minimum wage increases and paid sick leave.

The group’s endorsements were announced this week after an email poll.

Davidoff said the group “most enthusiastically” opposed the charter school question and would not be as active on the three other questions.

This year the group opposes Question 1, which would allow an additional slots parlor next to a race track; and supports Question 4, legalizing marijuana; and Question 3, which requires ample room for egg-laying hens, veal calves and pigs whose products are produced or sold in Massachusetts.

Tauber said for him personally the marijuana question is a “social justice” issue, as criminal records for marijuana crimes can limit people’s opportunities.

“Drug policy in this country has been so messed up for so long that frankly we need to start over on a lot of it,” Tauber said. Voters in 2008 decriminalized possession of up to an ounce of marijuana, and in 2012 they legalized marijuana for medical purposes. Gov. Charlie Baker, Attorney General Maura Healey, House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh are among the officials who have joined the campaign opposing Question 4.