BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts voters decide on five ballot issues Tuesday, including donation union rights of drivers for transport companies like Uber and Lyft.

Other questions would allow the use of certain herbal psychedelicseliminate the use of statewide tests as a high school graduation requirement and gradually increase the minimum hourly wage for tip workers.

Allow Uber and Lyft drivers to unionize

Drivers for ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft are considered independent contractors who do not have the right to unionize under federal law.

The proposal would allow them to unionize in the state. Drivers would not be required to participate. Individual companies could team up to form associations to represent their interests in negotiations.

As part of the measure, the state would have the right to approve negotiated contracts. The proposal would also create a hearing process when a company or union is accused of an unfair labor practice.

Unions pressed for change despite a announcement announced in June by the state attorney general’s office, which guarantees that Uber and Lyft drivers earn a minimum wage standard of $32.50 an hour.

Opponents said the measure would raise prices for riders without directly benefiting drivers. Critics also argued the question would create what they call a “radical new category of work” that runs counter to federal labor laws and say drivers already enjoy benefits, including higher hourly pay and vacation time. paid medical and for the family.

Raise the minimum wage for tipped workers

The proposal would gradually increase how much employers must pay workers who collect tips, such as restaurant servers.

The state wage for tipped workers is now $6.75 an hour, while the minimum hourly wage for most other workers it is $15. Now, if a worker doesn’t earn enough in tips to bring them up to $15 an hour, the employer must make up the difference.

Under the proposal, employers would have to tip workers $9.60 on Jan. 1. By January 1, 2029, employers should pay them the full state minimum wage.

Proponents argued that tips should be a reward for good service, not a subsidy for low wages. Critics said the proposal would reduce overall wages for servers, increase costs for restaurants, increase the price of dining out and could force some neighborhood restaurants to close.

Legalize psychedelics

The voting issue would allow residents 21 and older to grow and use herbal psychedelics under certain circumstances, making it third state to legalize some mind-altering drugs that are considered illegal by the federal government.

Psychedelics would include two found in so-called “magic mushrooms” – psilocybin and psilocin – and three from plants – mescaline, dimethyltryptamine and ibogaine.

The measure would allow the substances to be purchased at locations approved for use under the supervision of a licensed facilitator. While it would ban retail sales, it would allow people to grow psychedelics at home and share them.

The proposal would allow for the regulation and taxation of psychedelics and create a five-member commission to oversee the industry.

Critics have warned it could lead to a black market. They also argued that the centers would not be prevented from providing psychedelic drugs to people deemed high-risk, such as those with schizophrenia, bipolar illness or who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Waiver tests as a high school diploma requirement

Massachusetts students must pass comprehensive tests to receive a high school diploma. The ballot issue would not get rid of the tests, but passing them would no longer be required for graduation.

Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System tests are given in math, science and technology, and English.

Instead of passing tests, students would have to complete courses certified by their local school district and meet state academic standards in the subjects.

Teachers unions have been among the loudest critics of using the tests as a graduation requirement, saying “teaching to the test” limits their ability to give students a fuller education.

Proponents of the tests have argued that without the testing requirement, school districts will adopt lower standards so students can graduate. They said it was unfair to award degrees to unprepared students.

It allows the audit of the Legislature

The proposal would give the state auditor the authority to audit the Massachusetts Legislature — a ballot question led by state auditor Diana DiZoglio, who has served in both the state House and Senate.

DiZoglio argued that the Legislature is the only state entity that refuses to be audited, is one of the least transparent in the country and is one of the few exempt from public records laws.

Critics said the question would violate the separation of powers established in the Massachusetts Constitution.

They also argued that giving DiZoglio and her successors the power to audit the Legislature would turn them into “political actors” with undue influence over the legislative process. Legislative leaders deemed the proposed audit unnecessary.

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