ballot question on predatory lending
Saturday March 29, @06:17PM, by merelice et al
Subject : ballot question on predatory lending
from the Rainbow Coalition Caucus, Platform Committee dept.
Summary :
The State Committee decided to consider developing local ballot questions as an organizing tool to fulfill party goals and grow party support. The State Committee also put the party on record as supporting the work of a growing coalition of organizations formed under the name of Mass Alliance Against Predatory Lending, a coalition which was initiated by the Rainbow caucus. This proposal is to approve suggesting that MAAPL's work be the subject of one possible ballot initiative organized by the party.
Text :
The Green-Rainbow Party hereby selects as one subject for a local ballot initiative the work of the Mass Alliance Against Predatory Lending (MAAPL). MAAPL has filed an emergency package of three legislative acts which will form the basis of the language of a local ballot question. Such language will be ready for distribution to the State Committee prior to the StateCom meeting.

One bill places a 180-day moratorium on foreclosures involving sub-prime mortgages that are presumptively unfair. Another bill protects tenants living in foreclosed properties, who are current in their rent, from being evicted. Another bill enables Massachusetts to join with 29 other states in granting homeowners a day in court to contest foreclosure action.
Reply

• Re: ballot question on predatory lending
  Saturday March 29, @09:18PM, by Mike Heichman, Suffolk County
  > The State Committee decided to consider developing local ballot questions as an organizing tool to fulfill party goals and grow party support. The State Committee also put the party on record as supporting the work of a growing coalition of organizations formed under the name of Mass Alliance Against Predatory Lending, a coalition which was initiated by the Rainbow caucus. This proposal is to approve suggesting that MAAPL's work be the subject of one possible ballot initiative organized by the party.
  > The Green-Rainbow Party hereby selects as one subject for a local ballot initiative the work of the Mass Alliance Against Predatory Lending (MAAPL). MAAPL has filed an emergency package of three legislative acts which will form the basis of the language of a local ballot question. Such language will be ready for distribution to the State Committee prior to the StateCom meeting.
  >
  > One bill places a 180-day moratorium on foreclosures involving sub-prime mortgages that are presumptively unfair. Another bill protects tenants living in foreclosed properties, who are current in their rent, from being evicted. Another bill enables Massachusetts to join with 29 other states in granting homeowners a day in court to contest foreclosure action.
  
  -------------
  
  This sounds like an excellent idea for a ballot question.
  
  I have some procedural concerns and questiions:
  
  1. The last State Commitee meeting adopted my proposal (as modified by Jill Stein) to explore puting one or more questions on the ballot. I don't have the exact language of what was adopted by the meeting because our Seretary has not yet sent out the meeting. However, my memory is that the Platform Committee aidied by the CDLC (Its reps are Gary and Jill.) are supposed to coordinate this plan. Has this proposal been sent to the Platform Comm?
  
  2. I'm a member of the Rainbow Caucus. This group hasn't met for months. I know that there are at least a few members of the Caucus have been working on this issue. Has this question (or will this question) be sent to the Rainbow Caucus for vetting?
  
  Thanks,
  
  Mike Heichman
  Suffolk County Representative
  
  Reply