From Drought Relief to Oil Revenues, 5 Climate-Related Ballots to Watch

A record number of anti-fracking measures are on the midterm ballots—but gas drilling isn't the only climate and environmental issue that will be put to voters on Tuesday.

Americans across the country will decide on everything from climate resiliency and drought relief to oil and gas taxes and wildlife protection.

State:  MASSACHUSETTS

Ballot Measure:  Question 1—Repealing the automatic escalation of the state gasoline tax

Why It Matters:  The debate has centered on arguments that the tax revenue is needed to keep roads safe, but gas taxes have significant implications for greenhouse gas emissions.

The Details:  A yes vote would eliminate a new requirement that the state's 28 cents per gallon gas tax be adjusted annually to reflect increases in the Consumer Price Index.

Inside the fight: It's never easy for politicians to raise gas taxes, since consumers pay the price at the pump.  But these are a traditional source of financing for roads, bridges and mass transit.  So when the Massachusetts legislature last year increased the state tax to 28 cents a gallon, they indexed future tax rates to inflation, avoiding the need to revisit the issue again and again.

Anti-tax forces struck back with this ballot referendum, Question 1, proposing to eliminate the automatic indexing.  "No tax should increase automatically," say leading opponents on their website.  They call it "taxation without representation," even though elected state lawmakers devised the new formula.

Those who would leave the law in place (a "no" vote on the ballot question) say that there are hundreds of unsafe roads and bridges in need of repair—and the costs to taxpayers to fix them will only increase.

Green groups, too, oppose the ballot question.  They prefer future gas tax hikes to remain automatic because that would help cut greenhouse gas pollution.

First, higher taxes on gasoline reduce consumption of oil, and hence greenhouse gas emissions, because people drive less when fuel costs more.  Second, higher gas taxes make alternative fuel-efficient vehicles like hybrids and electric plug-ins even more attractive compared to gas-guzzling engines.  Third, a smoothly running transportation network, along with well-funded mass transit systems, reduce congestion and again increase fuel efficiency.  Finally, a robust infrastructure program will allow Massachusetts to build more resilient transportation facilities, adapting to the risks of climate change such as heavy storms and sea level rise.

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