By Bob Katzen

Several campaigns to put proposed law on the November 5, 2024 ballot for voter consideration have cleared the next hurdle. Secretary of State Bill Galvin’s office certified that the necessary 74,574 had been filed for several potential ballot questions.

Galvin has sent those questions to the Legislature which now has until May 1, 2024 to approve the proposed laws. If not approved by the Legislature, proponents must gather another 12,429 signatures and file them with local officials by June 19, 2024, and then the secretary of state’s office by July 3, 2024, in order for the question to appear on the November 2024 ballot.

The proposed laws include ones that would permit the state auditor’s office to audit the Legislature; increase over five years the minimum wage for tipped workers to the same as the general minimum wage; legalize some psychedelic substances including psilocybin and psilocyn found in mushrooms to treat mental health disorders including major depressive disorder and substance abuse; remove the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exam as a high school graduation requirement and instead require students to complete coursework certified by the student’s district as demonstrating mastery of the competencies contained in the state academic standards in math, science and technology and English; and several proposals to change the rights and benefits for on-demand drivers like Uber and Lyft.