10-05-2026 4:34am

Beacon Hill Roll Call

Alan Earls Editor

Volume 51 - Report No. 40

September 28 - October 2, 2026

By Bob Katzen

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THE HOUSE AND SENATE: On November 3, or prior to that for voters who take advantage of early voting between October 17-30, all voters will have the opportunity to vote on nine ballot questions that will become law if approved by the majority of voters.

To get on the ballot, the groups backing each ballot question were required to collect and submit at least 74,574 signatures last fall. The Legislature had until May 5, 2026 to act on the proposed law. The Legislature did not act on any of the proposals by the May 5 deadline. At which point supporters were required to collect another 12,429 signatures by July 1, in order to get their question on the ballot. All nine groups gathered sufficient signatures to get their question on the 2026 ballot.

Although neither the House nor Senate voted on any of the nine proposals, the Committee on Initiative Petitions did hold public hearings on the questions. The committee eventually issued a majority report recommending that the Legislature take no action on each proposal. The Legislature never acted on the reports which were simply “placed on file,” where they died.

Secretary of State Bill Galvin has issued an 88-page book via the U.S. mail and online with details about each question. If you would rather not read the entire 88-page book, Beacon Hill Roll Call will be presenting a report on each ballot question over the next several weeks prior to the election.

BALLOT QUESTION 3 – Here is a look at Question 3:

QUESTION 3: ELIMINATE POLITICAL PARTY PRIMARIES FOR STATE ELECTIONS AND INSTEAD ESTABLISH A SINGLE, ALL-PARTY PRIMARY. SEVERAL STATES ALREADY HAVE THIS ALL-PARTY PRIMARY SYSTEM WHICH HAS EARNED THE NICKNAME “JUNGLE PRIMARY.”

This question asks voters if they approve of a bill that would eliminate political party primaries for state elections and instead establish a system where there would be a single, all-party primary in which all candidates, regardless of their party affiliation, would be listed on one ballot, and voters could vote for any candidate on the ballot. The two candidates receiving the most votes in the all-party primary would advance to the general election, regardless of their party affiliation.

The proposed law would provide political party status to any group whose candidates for any statewide office received at least 3% of the ballots cast in the prior state primary. It would require candidates for governor and lieutenant governor to run and be listed jointly on the ballot in the all-party primary.

WHAT SUPPORTERS TOLD BEACON HILL ROLL CALL

"Question 3 makes Massachusetts elections more competitive and opens the door to new, fresh voices,” Danielle Allen, chair of the “Yes” on 3 Campaign told Beacon Hill Roll Call. "Right now, too many popular candidates never make it past low-turnout primaries and gatekeepers, and in 2024, 61% of our elections had just one name on the ballot. Under Question 3, every voter and every candidate takes part in the same primary, and the top two vote-getters advance to November, where they face a much larger, more diverse and more representative general election electorate.”

Allen continued, “Opponents are trying to scare voters because the status quo suits them and their incumbent friends, but the truth is that all-party primaries give voters more choices; produces a dynamic, voter-driven general election instead of one decided months earlier by a small slice of insiders; incentivizes officials to deliver; and is familiar to them already — it’s how we vote in mayoral and municipal elections across the commonwealth. Massachusetts is ready for a democracy that inspires action from our elected leaders to solve the numerous problems we’re facing — on affordability, health care, housing and too many more. “Yes” on Question 3 has a strong, broad coalition of voting rights, civil rights, grassroots, labor, climate and civic groups, along with former and current officials, and is growing every week. With majority support across demographics, we're building real momentum toward November.”

WHAT OPPONENTS TOLD BEACON HILL ROLL CALL

“Private equity executives are trying to buy a more favorable election system and making promises they never intend to keep, and once they rig the system in their favor, it becomes nearly impossible to undo,” Berg Powers, chair of Voter Rights MA told Beacon Hill Roll Call. “The overwhelming majority of this campaign's funding comes from obscenely wealthy individuals, which is why this isn't a grassroots movement. It's a hedge fund with a ballot question. Independent voters are not shut out of party primaries today, because unenrolled voters can already choose either party's ballot without joining a party.”

Berg continued, “And Question 3 doesn't fix the real competition problem in Massachusetts, where people don't run for office because of time and money, since it makes campaigns longer and more expensive. Unions, community groups and everyday activists from across the political spectrum have come together to urge a No vote on 3, and as voters learn what's at stake, they'll join the people and groups they trust most.”

OFFICIAL ARGUMENTS: Here are the official arguments, gathered by the secretary of state, from both sides of the question. Each side was allowed to submit up to a 150-word statement supporting their position.

IN FAVOR:

“Massachusetts elected officials should work for us, not insiders. But for years insiders have held the advantage. Many elections are over before most of us ever cast a ballot. Candidates can be blocked at party conventions. Today, two-thirds of the legislature is running unopposed. They can take voters for granted and ignore important issues like affordable housing, energy costs, better schools and the audit 72% of us demanded.

All-party primaries will bring accountability and transparency to Massachusetts politics by making elections more competitive, forcing politicians to listen. All candidates appear on your primary ballot, and the top two advance to November where they need a majority of votes to win. Insiders have less control and we get fresh voices running for office.

More competition means more accountability. Legislators who know voters can replace them. Listen to us and deliver real results.

Vote Yes on Question 3 for accountability and competition.”

AGAINST:

“Similar top two systems in California and Washington have favored wealthy, self-funded candidates who can out-advertise crowded fields and the corporate PACs seeking to purchase offices, while sidelining grassroots candidates and historically marginalized and underrepresented groups such as candidates of color and women. Third-party and independent candidates would be shut out of the general election, and working-class candidates would lose out on institutional support and access to party resources.

This proposal would limit voter choice by allowing only two candidates to advance to November — even if they belong to the same party — reducing competition, lowering voter participation, worsening inequities and narrowing debate.

Massachusetts voters deserve real choices, not a system that rewards money and name recognition over community support. Vote No.”

WHAT YOUR VOTE DOES:

A “Yes” vote would eliminate separate party primaries for state elections and require a single all-party primary in which all candidates appear on one ballot, voters can vote for any candidate, and the top two candidates would advance to the general election.

A “No” would make no change to the laws governing primary elections.

ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL

STATE AUDITOR DIZOGLIO UNCOVERS $10.6 MILLION IN PUBLIC BENEFITS FRAUD – State Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s Bureau of Special Investigations revealed that it has flagged $10.6 million in public benefit fraud in the second half of fiscal year 2026.

The investigation showed that the most fraud found was more than $6 million in MassHealth fraud and some $3.9 million in SNAP fraud. MassHealth is the state’s Medicaid program that provides health care for low-income and disabled persons. SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, previously known as food stamps, is a federal nutrition program administered by the state to provide food and other nutrition-related benefits to qualified low-income Massachusetts residents.

Other fraud includes $538,330 tied to the Personal Care Attendant program; $130,480 in the Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children program; and $38,460 in the Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children program.

"These important programs are meant for the people who need them – not for those looking to game the system," DiZoglio said. "When someone commits fraud, they're taking resources away from the people these programs were created to serve. Our office will continue to work with our partners to identify fraud because taxpayers deserve to have their hard-earned money protected."

CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN FALL RIVER, SPRINGFIELD AND WORCESTER CATHOLIC DICOCESES - Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell released a report detailing the findings of her office’s investigation into child sexual abuse in the Catholic Dioceses of Fall River, Springfield and Worcester.

The investigation found evidence that more than 270 Catholic clerics abused nearly 1,000 children at the three dioceses. The report documents decades of failures by diocesan leaders to adequately respond to allegations of child sexual abuse and protect children from further harm. The investigation found instances in which diocesan leaders failed to act on allegations and warning signs; transferred accused and offending priests to other parishes without disclosing the reasons for their transfers; returned priests to ministry following treatment without adequate supervision; failed to meaningfully enforce restrictions; concealed the reasons priests were removed from ministry; and failed to consistently report allegations to law enforcement.

“For decades, survivors of clergy sexual abuse, including those who are no longer alive, have carried the devastating consequences of abuse, while the institutions entrusted with their care too often failed to protect them,” said Campbell. “This report provides for the first time a public accounting of the unimaginable harms afflicted on children in the Fall River, Springfield and Worcester dioceses. While important reforms have been made, the report documents decades of failures by diocesan leaders to adequately respond to allegations of child sexual abuse and protect children from further harm.”

Campbell continued, “As a woman of deep faith, it is my prayer and profound hope that this report honors the courage and stories of survivors and serves as a renewed catalyst for Massachusetts to finally do all that is necessary to ensure the safety of our children. No institution should ever put its own reputation and interest above the safety and wellbeing of its constituents, especially children.”

SUSPEND THE GAS TAX – House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy) was non-committal but pessimistic about whether the House will approve one of the pending proposals to suspend the state’s 24-cent-per-gallon gas tax.

Mike Monogue, the Republican candidate for governor, proposed a suspension of the gas tax whenever prices climb above $4 per gallon. Gov. Maura Healey filed a supplemental budget that includes a two-month suspension of the gas tax.

Mariano told the State House News Service, “I think we've taken votes on this conversation in the past ... going to work with -- to find where the membership is on it going forward. But you know, obviously those votes were pretty significantly against previously."

Supporters of the suspension say that gas tax relief would help individuals with the rising costs of gas, transportation, groceries, goods and services. Opponents say the state cannot afford the revenue loss and that the suspension would affect the state’s bond rating and possibly also result in cuts in state spending for programs that help many people.

The House has voted overwhelmingly several times in the past against similar proposals.

DECEASED ANIMALS ON STATE HIGHWAYS (H 3678) – Legislation that would require any State Department of Transportation (DOT) highway employees who find deceased dogs or cats on roads with identification, to either attempt to directly contact the owner or to notify local animal control officers or the police department, was given initial approval by the House in February. The House has not taken any further action on the measure which has since been languishing in the Committee on Bills in Third Reading.

"Losing a pet is hard enough,” said sponsor Rep. Richard Haggerty (D-Woburn) when the bill was approved in February. “Not knowing what happened to them makes it even harder. Right now, if a DOT employee finds a dog or cat, with an ID tag or microchip, which has been hit and killed on a state highway, there is no requirement for them to let the owner know. Families are left waiting and wondering, sometimes never getting answers. It is a straightforward, compassionate step that asks very little of the state but gives grieving families the one thing they need most -- closure."

QUOTABLE QUOTES

"We have repeatedly tried to get Mass General Brigham to negotiate and avoid a second strike, but the billionaires who run MGB have shut the door on us. There is still time to reach an agreement that protects patient care and respects nurses. MGB needs to come back to the table and negotiate without preconditions."

--- Kelly Morgan, chair of the Brigham bargaining committee, announcing that 4,000 nurses at MGB plan to start their open-ended strike on Wednesday, Oct. 14 unless a contract deal is reached.

"We take seriously the union’s decision to issue a strike notice and are fully prepared to continue providing safe, high-quality care for our patients throughout a strike. While we had hoped to avoid another strike, our teams have comprehensive plans in place, informed by our experience during the five-day work stoppage in July, to support continuity of care across Brigham and Women's Hospital."

--- MGB spokesperson Jessica Pastore.

"For ten years, we’ve listened closely to people living this experience. They’ve told us, time and again, that support needs to be there around the clock. What we’re offering now is a direct response to what they’ve asked for. It doesn’t replace the helpline — it extends it, so people feel supported whenever they need us."

--- Victor Ortiz, director of the Office of Problem Gambling Services, commenting on a new mobile app for those seeking help for problem gambling.

"If he'd taken that million dollars that he gave to the president and used it to to buy oil at the Strait of Hormuz and given it to the state, we would have been better off."

---House Speaker Ron Mariano criticizing Republican Mike Monogue, the Republican candidate for governor, for his past donations to President Donald Trump and the Republican National Committee.

“It makes sense to support nuclear energy, and although it comes with a price, our study from earlier this year shows that New Englanders would still save between $400 billion and $700 billion by replacing planned wind and solar with a combination of nuclear and natural gas.”

---Paul Craney, executive director of the Mass Fiscal Alliance.

HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION?

Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts.

Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session.

During the week of Sept. 28-Oct. 2, the House met for a total of 15 minutes and the Senate met for a total of 17 minutes.

Mon. Sept. 28 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:05 a.m.

Senate 11:18 a.m. to 11:26 a.m.

Tues. Sept. 29 No House session.

No Senate session

Wed. Sept. 30 No House session.

No Senate session

Thurs. Oct. 1 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:10 a.m.

Senate 11:05 a.m. to 11:14 a.m.

Fri. Oct. 2 No House session.

No Senate session.

Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com