Massachusetts: Question 1

The Coalition for our Communities, the group opposing Question 1, said Tuesday night that Massachusetts voters cast their ballots against the measure because they understood the devastating effects it would have on the state budget.

With 79 percent of precincts reporting, Question 1, the ballot measure that would eliminate the state income tax, is trailing 69 percent to 31 percent. The Boston Globe has projected that the measure will fail.

MARLBOROUGH - Some of the voters who came early to the polling place at the Francis J. Kane School shared mixed views on Question 1, the high profile ballot measure that would abolish the state income tax.

If successful, Question 1 would cost the state approximately $12 billion in revenues. Opponents, including most officials on Beacon Hill, say the plan would obliterate state services. Proponents say it would be easy to cut that much waste out of the state government's budget.

The organization opposing Question 1 sent out personalized mailers this week and plans to run a user targeted web advertisement on Boston.com Monday, according to a spokesman for the campaign.

Both the mailer and Monday's ad are designed to inform voters how much Question 1's success would cost specific cities and towns.

WORCESTER - Lt. Gov. Tim Murray said Saturday that he is opposed to the three questions that will appear on the statewide ballot this year.

"No cubed," the Worcester Democrat told PolitickerMA.com. "No on Question 1, no on getting rid of the dogs and no on the marijuana [question]."