Chamber Opposes Ballot Questions 2 and 5

The Board of Director's of the Neponset River Regional Chamber recently voted to oppose two questions that will appear on the ballot in November.  

​Question 2 will eliminate MCAS as a requirement for high school graduation.  This misguided ballot initiative that will make Massachusetts' school systems unfair and increase inequality by eliminating our only statewide education standard

According to "Protect Our Kids' Future: No on Question 2", "a statewide graduation requirement ensures that students meet minimum standards before graduating. Abandoning students who need extra help by giving them diplomas and sending them on their way would negatively impact kids for the rest of their lives. Instead of dropping standards, as proponents advocate, we should do the hard work to lift students to ensure that every child receives the excellent education they are entitled to before graduating."

Question 5 will change the way tipped servers are compensated. Currently every worker in Massachusetts is already guaranteed to earn at least the current minimum wage of $15 including tipped employees. If, after wages and tips, an employee does not earn $15 per hour, the employer must pay the difference. The proposed changes will increase the cost of doing business for restaurants significantly.

According to a survey by the Massachusetts Restaurant Association this is not what servers want:

• 86% think the current tipping system works for them.
• 90% believe that if tipped wages are eliminated, tipped employees will earn less.
• 88% oppose a mandatory tip pool where tips are shared with the kitchen and other non-service staff.
• 91% say they prefer the current system, with a lower base wage and tips that provide the ability to earn more than the minimum wage.
• 56% of respondents report earning more than $30.00/per hour.

To learn more about how these two questions could increase costs and reduce our state's competitiveness click on the logos above.
Best,

Tom O'Rourke
President and CEO