Secretary of state announces order of ballot questions

By Globe Staff

A proposal to abolish the state's income tax will be Question 1 on the November ballot, the secretary of state's office announced today. A proposal to decriminalize marijuana possession will be Question 2, while a proposal to ban dog racing will be Question 3.

The question numbers are likely to become a shorthand, with bumper stickers and ads urging people to vote for or against a particular number, as the campaigns over the proposals head toward the Nov. 4 election.

The Committee for Small Government, led by libertarian Carla Howell, says the income tax repeal would save the average taxpayer $3,600 a year. But critics say it would have a catastrophic effect on needed government programs, costing the state roughly $12.7 billion, or about 40 percent of the budget.

The marijuana initiative would replace criminal penalties for possession of one ounce or less of the drug with civil penalties, making it comparable to a parking ticket. The Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy says studies show that use of the drug does not rise with decriminalization. But opponents argue that while marijuana may seem harmless, it can impair people's senses, thus creating a link between use and car crashes.

The Committee to Protect Dogs says greyhound racing is cruel to the animals. One track owner is suing to block the ballot question and has said that hundreds of jobs could be lost if the measure is approved.

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