Question 6

Sources (Ballot Question 6): A and B: What your vote will do and AG summary, p. 16. A: argument in favor (no new tax; dedicates sales tax already paid). Authors: Argument in favor by Mass Audubon; Argument against compiled by the Secretary of the Commonwealth from the Legislature's majority report (no organized No group). Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions majority report, pp. 32-33. Secretary of the Commonwealth, Information for Voters 2026, Question 6 pp. 16-17 (https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/research-and-statistics/information-for-voters-2026.htm). Also A: Heather Clish, Trustees of Reservations (YES on 6), FRC Media interview posted Sept 2026 (2:46-3:25, about $25 million a year now vs. about $350 million needed; up to $100 million a year; 7:14-7:28, does not raise taxes).

Sources (Ballot Question 6): A: argument in favor (clean drinking water, pollution, flooding, forests, farms, habitat). B: fiscal statement, p. 16 (diverts tens of millions a year from the operating budget); majority report (reallocation from other programs). Authors: Argument in favor by Mass Audubon; Argument against compiled by the Secretary of the Commonwealth from the Legislature's majority report (no organized No group). Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions majority report, pp. 32-33. Secretary of the Commonwealth, Information for Voters 2026, Question 6 pp. 16-17 (https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/research-and-statistics/information-for-voters-2026.htm). Also A: Heather Clish, Trustees of Reservations (YES on 6), FRC Media interview posted Sept 2026 (7:47-8:26, up to $100 million is about 0.16% of the $63.5 billion state budget).

Sources (Ballot Question 6): A: argument in favor (as much as $100 million a year; permanently protect). B: argument against and majority report (appropriations stay subject to annual budget deliberation and prioritization). Authors: Argument in favor by Mass Audubon; Argument against compiled by the Secretary of the Commonwealth from the Legislature's majority report (no organized No group). Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions majority report, pp. 32-33. Secretary of the Commonwealth, Information for Voters 2026, Question 6 pp. 16-17 (https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/research-and-statistics/information-for-voters-2026.htm). Also A: Heather Clish, Trustees of Reservations (YES on 6), FRC Media interview posted Sept 2026 (9:39-10:15, the environment is often one of the first things cut when money is tight).

Sources (Ballot Question 6): A: AG summary, pp. 16-17 (fund, 15-member board, annual report); argument in favor (strict oversight and annual reporting). B: majority report (would neither guarantee additional funding nor materially change the status quo); fiscal statement (substantial implementation costs). Authors: Argument in favor by Mass Audubon; Argument against compiled by the Secretary of the Commonwealth from the Legislature's majority report (no organized No group). Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions majority report, pp. 32-33. Secretary of the Commonwealth, Information for Voters 2026, Question 6 pp. 16-17 (https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/research-and-statistics/information-for-voters-2026.htm). Also A: Heather Clish, Trustees of Reservations (YES on 6), FRC Media interview posted Sept 2026 (3:41-4:56, 15-member board and yearly report on every dollar; 5:31-6:51, grants to cities, towns, nonprofits and state agencies; 10:43-11:13, confident the Legislature will follow the voters).

Sources (Ballot Question 6): A: argument in favor (oversight and annual reporting). B: majority report (constraints on administrative flexibility). Authors: Argument in favor by Mass Audubon; Argument against compiled by the Secretary of the Commonwealth from the Legislature's majority report (no organized No group). Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions majority report, pp. 32-33. Secretary of the Commonwealth, Information for Voters 2026, Question 6 pp. 16-17 (https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/research-and-statistics/information-for-voters-2026.htm). Also A: Heather Clish, Trustees of Reservations (YES on 6), FRC Media interview posted Sept 2026 (4:48-4:56, a report every year showing how every dollar was spent).