A brand new marketing campaign advert supporting giving licenses for immigrants right here illegally by no means mentions the actual query within the referendum — as a substitute framing it deceptively as “Route to safer roads.”
Who’s not for safer roads, proper?
Well, the Question 4 referendum truly by no means mentions street security – besides within the “arguments” part that supporters wrote.
It backs the brand new legislation permitting residents with out authorized immigration standing to get a driver’s license, whereas a no vote would repeal the legislation.
“A yes vote would keep in place the law, which would allow Massachusetts residents who cannot provide proof of lawful presence in the United States to obtain a driver’s license or permit if they meet the other requirements for doing so. A no vote would repeal this law.”
It’s easy however somewhat complicated as a result of a no vote truly helps the trouble to repeal the legislation.
But proponents of the brand new legislation are afraid to debate the referendum at face worth, as a result of they know they could lose.
The $500,000 TV advert purchase goals to persuade voters that the referendum is about street security, and nothing else.
“In Massachusetts there’s a route to creating safer roads, no map needed,” the advert states. “Voting yes on Question 4 protects everyone on the road by making sure all drivers can be tested, licensed and insured. Similar laws in other states show yes on Question 4 paves the way to fewer uninsured drivers, and safer roads. Law enforcement officials in the state agree, yes on Question 4 protects our families. Put yourself in the driver’s seat for road safety. Vote yes on Question 4.”
That’s it. Not even one point out of who would actually profit from the referendum. Protecting “our families” is an enormous stretch — misleading at finest.
Question 4 made the poll solely after opponents of the license legislation submitted sufficient signatures to fulfill the edge to place it earlier than voters.
It got here months after the Democratic-controlled Legislature simply handed the legislation increasing licenses to unlawful immigrants and overrode a veto by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker.
Baker mentioned he rejected it as a result of it “increases the risk that non-citizens will be registered to vote.” But the governor has no actually obtained concerned within the Question 4 debate.
Opponents of the referendum don’t have the funds for to place TV advertisements on the air explaining the actual intent of the legislation.
If they might, they’d have a a lot better probability of successful.
So give a slight edge to the referendum passing — with an enormous help from these not-so-transparent advertisements.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”