Coalition launches grassroots effort on 2022 ballot campaigns

Somerville Stands Together coalition leaders launched a grassroots campaign on October 13 to pass the Fair Share Amendment and defeat the Big Tech companies' "Prop 22 clone" ballot initiative. Both measures will be on the November 2022 ballot.

If passed, the Fair Share Amendment would tax incomes above $1 million and raise approximately $2 billion a year for spending on transportation and public education. If passed, Big Tech's Prop 22 clone would undermine the rights and benefits of workers, shield companies like Uber and Lyft from liability to their customers, and make Massachusetts taxpayers pick up the tab.

Participants at the kickoff heard from Somerville state representatives Christine Barber, Mike Connolly and Erika Uyterhoeven. A number of candidates for city council and mayor came to show their support as well. Pictures from the event are posted online here.

Coalition leaders picked up about 400 pledge cards for the Fair Share Amendment along with a small trifold explaining what the state could accomplish if it passes. The pledge cards will be used to enlist members of their respective organizations to support the campaigns (the "No on Prop 22 clone" pledge cards are still in production and will be provided to coalition leaders ASAP).

As they picked up their pledge cards, SST coalition heard short presentations from Marianne Walles, SEIU Local 509; Grace Rubardt, a Tufts University student; Gabe Camacho, UFCW Local 1445; Bill Cavellini, Union Sq. Neighborhood Council; Leigh Meunier, Climate Coalition of Somerville; and Paul Wieksel, Teamsters Local 25

Learn more about: big tech's Prop 22 clone here. and the Fair Share Amendment here.

"The same billionaires and millionaires who support the Uber Lyft initiative will be pouring dark money against the Fair Share amendment into Massachusetts," said Marianne Walles, an SEIU Local 509 member and long-time Somerville resident. "That's why we have to get out to talk with voters early, before the deceptive and hugely expensive advertising blitz begins."

"We're stepping up to be part of this campaign because we know how important it is to raise new revenue and to defeat the Prop 22 initiative," said Rand Wilson, a union organizer and long-time Somerville community activist. "We also know that the billionaire class is preparing to spend millions for their side to win. That's why we aren't waiting for that vote to start building our campaign in Somerville that will take the Fair Share Amendment over the finish line and stop the big tech ballot initiative in its tracks in November 2022."

Somerville Stands Together is a 22-member coalition of community, environmental, and labor organizations. Learn more about the coalition here. Or visit us on Facebook here.