October Business Insight Breakfast Forum at Misselwood, Beverly

Join the Chamber for an informative forum on the upcoming November ballot questions! Speakers on both sides of each issue will present their case for voting yes or no, and you'll leave as a better-informed voter.

We’ll explore three questions that impact business: 

QUESTION 1 asks voters to authorize the state auditor to audit the Legislature. 

• ‘YES’ Speaker: Diana DiZoglio, State Auditor

DiZoglio, a Democrat, has cast her effort to audit the Legislature as one of fundamental accountability for state government. She notes that Massachusetts is frequently ranked as one of the least transparent state legislatures in the nation — not subject to public records laws or open meeting laws. She says taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being spent on Beacon Hill. 

• ‘NO’ Speaker: To Be Announced

Some legislators argue that an audit of the chambers is both unconstitutional and, as House Speaker Ron Mariano said, “wholly unnecessary.” Senate President Karen Spilka argued that “as the separation of powers clause dictates,” her chamber is empowered to manage its own business and set its own rules.

QUESTION 2 asks voters to eliminate the MCAS test as a requirement for high school graduation, instead giving individual districts the right to determine student competency. 

• ‘YES’ Speaker: Deb McCarthy, VP of the Massachusetts Teachers Association

Proponents say that MCAS isn't the best way to measure competency and that people with disabilities and ESL are unfairly impacted. Instead of standardized testing, they argue, students should demonstrate they have mastered the state’s education standards through their schoolwork and teacher evaluations. 

• ‘NO’ Speaker: Ed Lambert, Executive Director of the Mass Business Alliance for Education

Opponents of this ballot question argue that MCAS standardizes education, graduation, and competency requirements for every school, and best prepares the state’s future workforce. As a national leader in K-12 education, they argue, Massachusetts must maintain high education standards so that graduates are ready for college and career. 

QUESTION 5 would gradually raise the minimum wage for tipped workers from $6.75 to $15, allow servers to pool tips with non-tipped workers, and continue to permit tipping in addition to the minimum wage.

• ‘YES’ Speaker: Mitch Gaynor, Mass. One Fair Wage

Proponents of this ballot question say service workers are struggling to survive with their current pay, which they say often doesn’t add up to minimum wage, even when including tips. 

• ‘NO’ Speaker: Massachusetts Restaurant Association representative

Opponents say increasing the minimum wage would be detrimental to the restaurant industry, force companies out of business, and increase pass-along costs for consumers. 

PRICING

(Note: Tickets are nonrefundable)

Members: $65
Nonmembers: $85

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Presenting Sponsor, $999: Verbal welcome and recognition by the Chairman at event, seat at Leadership Table, 1-minute video to be played during event, attendee list, eight tickets with prominent table location and signage, company logo and link to your website on all print/electronic promotional materials, marketing display table, posted organizational virtual banner at event, marketing materials distribution at each table, verbal and logo recognition during breakfast
Title Sponsor, $699: Company logo and link to your website on all print/electronic promotional materials, four tickets with prominent table location and signage, posted organizational virtual banner at event, distribution of marketing materials at each table, verbal and logo recognition during breakfast
Supporting Sponsor, $299: One ticket and logo recognition at event

Questions: Please contact Cheryl Begin, Director of Sales & Marketing, at 978-774-8565, ext. 1, or by email at cheryl.begin@northshorechamber.org.

Wednesday, Oct. 2, 7:30 to 9 a.m.
Misselwood Events
407 Hale St., Beverly