AMHERST — Three statewide questions on the Nov. 3 election ballot will be discussed during a public forum hosted by the Amherst Democratic Town Committee this Wednesday.
Held at the community room at the police station, the conversation will address the referendums on state revenue, single-family home construction and firearm regulations. There will be a question-and-answer session at the end.
Question 5 asks voters to change the limit on how much revenue the state can collect each year. Chris Keohane, spokesperson for Taxpayers for an Affordable Massachusetts, will present the “yes” side, while Kurt Wise, senior policy analyst at the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, will speak on the “no” side.
If approved, Question 7 would allow single-family homes to be built in residentially zoned lots of at least 5,000 square feet. The “yes” side will be presented by Andrew Mikula, chief housing economist at the Pioneer Institute, while the “no” side will be presented by Adrienne Nunez, senior legislative director at the Massachusetts Municipal Association.
Finally, Question 9 gives voters the choice of supporting or repealing an existing state gun law. The “yes” side, to keep the law intact, will be presented by Megan DesAutels, campaign coordinator for Vote Yes on 9 for a Safe Massachusetts, while the “no” side’s case will be made by Brendan Salisbury, legislation and lobbying committee chair at the Massachusetts Liberal Gun Club.
After the guest presentations and public question and answer, members of the Amherst Democrats will discuss and vote on whether to make endorsements on the three questions.
Those interested in attending the public forum or joining the town committee can visit www.amherstmademocrats.org or send email to AmherstMADemocrats@gmail.com.
The forum begins at 7 p.m. at 111 Main St., Amherst.
