Massachusetts Ballot Questions Get Attention From 'Nerds' And Out-Of-State Donors, Apparently

On the Massachusetts ballot, Question 1 would give independent auto repair shops access to more diagnostic information. Supporters have received sizable campaign donations from auto parts makers and stores from out-of-state.

Tommy Hickey of the Right to Repair Coalition said this question impacts more than just mechanics.

"We are AutoZone, we are O'Reilly [Auto Parts]," Hickey said, arguing in favor of the ballot question. "There's 40,000 jobs here in Massachusetts in the aftermarket that depend on a competitive market to be able to keep up with technology."

Conor Yunits, with the Coalition for Safe and Secure Data, opposes the question. His group has been largely funded by automakers.

"No other state in the country allows this information," Yuntis said. "The national funders behind this effort are trying to use Massachusetts as their guinea pig."

As of the latest campaign finance report, $50 million had been raised by the two sides on Question 1 — a good chunk of it from out of state.

"I don't think it's a big surprise," said panelist Carrie Saldo. "As Conor just said, he thinks Massachusetts might be a testing ground here. And I think there's merit to that."

Saldo said Massachusetts has seen "legislative trendsetting" before, like on paid family leave.

"There are people who are concerned or excited about the possibility of this being passed in Massachusetts, and what that means for the rest of the country on this issue," she said.

Question 2 on ranked-choice voting has seen a fraction of the fundraising as Question 1, though there's been a lot of out-of-state money coming in for that one, too.

Panelist Ron Chimelis said he's not a fan of legislation by referendum, but that this is the "worst possible year" to put ranked-choice voting on the ballot.

"People have Trump, Biden, COVID, remote schools, job security — their heads are exploding," he said. "Very few people — except, you know, nerds like me that follow this stuff — are really paying any attention to it. And it's an issue that needs attention to be paid."

Chimelis said he's not surprised money is coming in from out of state in support or opposition.

"The only reason it bothers me is because it happens every time there's a referendum question," he said. "This year is going to be no exception."

Staying with campaign finance: September's Democratic primary in Massachusetts' 1st Congressional District cost nearly $8 million. Incumbent and winner Richard Neal out-raised and out-spent challenger and Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse by a 2-to-1 margin.

The Center for Responsive Politics said about 60% of Neal's money came from Political Action Committees, while almost all of Morse's came from individual donors. 

Speaking of elections, some wonder if a recent deal between General Electric and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to clean up the Housatonic River might be impacted by the presidential election. Advocates who have said the EPA is going too easy on GE have also said the feds are trying to rush this before a possible change at the White House.

But Jim Murphy, a former EPA staffer who worked through three administration changes, said he doesn't expect much to be different.

We wrap up the week at the Statehouse. An article from Politico said Massachusetts Republican Governor Charlie Baker might be under consideration for a position in a potential Biden administration. The governor said he likes his current job, and is committed to serving out the last few years of his term.

Guests:

• Ron Chimelis, reporter/columnist, Springfield Republican 
• Carrie Saldo, Worcester bureau reporter, WGBH News

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