Massachusetts State Representative Will Brownsberger Mentions Ballot Initiative As Possible Way To Increase Pre-K Funding

Will Brownsberger is my Massachusetts state representative ( He represents Second Suffolk and Middlesex District and he is the president pro tempore of the Massachusetts Senate.) I always appreciate the fact that he replies to constituents’ emails quickly. Recently, I emailed him urging him to support an “Act Ensuring High Quality Pre-Kindergarten Education (H.551, S.265).” Here is the link to the bill: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S265

and here is a link to an article about the bill: https://eyeonearlyeducation.com/2019/07/01/state-house-hearing-on-early-education-and-care-tomorrow-july-2-2019/

In his reply to my email, Rep Brownsberger said “Although most of our surplus is going to go to K-12 in this cycle, I also hope we can raise money for pre-K.   It is going to take the ballot initiative for it to really happen though.” ( quote used with permission)

This made me look at how to get an initiative on the ballot in Massachusetts. I found this very good overview: https://ballotpedia.org/Laws_governing_the_initiative_process_in_Massachusetts

It is a long and difficult process but not impossible. I don’t think getting an initiative on the 2019 ballot is a realistic goal but getting one in 2020 is possible. 

My goal the next few months will be to try to get the ball rolling and find other people who might be interested in working with me on crafting and initiative and going through the process. I will try to keep readers of this website updated about the progress.

*The photo that goes along with this blog is a screen shot from https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/WNB0