Let’s do this – The Boston Globe

Yes on Question 1. Auditor Diana DiZoglio's ballot question would explicitly give her office the authority to conduct audits of Massachusetts legislation. The idea is highly unpopular on Beacon Hill, but that's not the only reason to support it. Forcing the legislature to be a little more open would lead to better government. While DiZoglio's proposal isn't a panacea and could lead to a constitutional battle in court, it at least offers a chance to make the state's notoriously opaque legislation a little more transparent.

No to question 2. Education reform in the 1990s made Massachusetts schools the best in the country. Why bother with success? The MCAS exam was a central part of these reforms, and eliminating it as a graduation requirement would destroy a pillar of the state's excellence. Without the test, Massachusetts would have only a patchwork of local requirements for a high school diploma — and likely a throwback to the days of separate and unequal education for lower-income and minority children.

Yes to question 3. Labor laws were written long before gig work even existed. Question 3 would give drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft a right that other private sector workers take for granted: the ability to unionize and bargain for better wages and working conditions.

No to question 4. Psychedelics are a promising tool for treating some serious psychiatric illnesses, but they also pose real dangers. Rigorous, scientific evaluation of the pros and cons of effective medications is why the United States has a Food and Drug Administration. The agency has a rigorous drug approval process, and this is the right way for psychedelics to gain approval.

Yes to question 5. Many restaurant servers and certain other service workers in Massachusetts make their living largely from tips. Question 5 wouldn't change this basic reality: These workers would still get tips and would still have every incentive to hurry up to get more. What it would do is raise the floor by ensuring that all those waiters are making at least minimum wage when business is slow or their employers are underpaying them. This is supposed to happen now, but in practice sometimes it doesn't happen.

In the race for U.S. Senate, Republican John Deaton ran a credible campaign and deserves a future in state politics. But Democratic incumbent Elizabeth Warren deserves re-election. She is a serious, hard-working senator, and a vote for her is also a vote to keep the Senate in Democratic hands.

Finally, there is the presidential race, which has used up all the political oxygen this fall, and for good reason. Former President and Republican candidate Donald Trump's attempted comeback poses a serious threat to America's future. He would roll back environmental protections, befriend foreign dictators and spark destructive trade wars. He has shown disregard for the rule of law and democracy itself.

His economic program, based on imposing tariffs of 10 to 20 percent on all imported goods, would drive up costs for Americans, as would high inflation or income taxes. His promise to deport millions of undocumented immigrants would indiscriminately remove from the country many hard-working people who pay taxes and contribute to their communities and harm a range of industries that rely on their labor, from housing to dairy farming to meat packaging.

His disastrous tenure between 2017 and 2021, culminating in his botched handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the January 6, 2021 insurrection, is the best argument against his return to office.

In contrast, Vice President Kamala Harris offers a forward-looking vision and would fight for women's reproductive rights, maintain America's democracy-protecting foreign alliances and treat important issues like housing and climate change with the seriousness they deserve. Unlike some other newspapers, which appear to be reconsidering the issue, the Globe wholeheartedly supports Harris' candidacy.

Editorials reflect the views of the Boston Globe Editorial Board. Follow us @GlobeOpinion.