2022 Elections Guide

With Election Day fast approaching, this special edition of The Tufts Daily Weekly Roundup features some of our top recent reporting on local and national politics. These articles span a variety of important issues including Massachusetts ballot questions, the 2022 campaign season and national debates on reproductive rights, student loan forgiveness and more.

We hope this newsletter will help to provide you with some of the information you need to cast an informed vote. Stay tuned for the Daily's complete elections coverage on Nov. 8.

MILLIONAIRE'S TAX | Fair Share Amendment could generate $1.3 billion in revenue for Mass.

A proposal to amend the Massachusetts constitution to impose a 4% surtax on earnings above $1 million would raise about $1.3 billion in 2023, the Center for State Policy Analysis at Tufts’ Tisch College said. Massachusetts citizens will vote on the amendment on Nov. 8. READ MORE
Skyler Goldberg reports. Photo by Kiana Vallo.

HOUSING |
Gubernatorial candidate Maura Healey releases plan to tackle housing crisis in Massachusetts

The plan focuses heavily on increasing housing production, preserving current housing options and supporting homeless individuals and families through strengthening the state’s rent assistance program. READ MORE
Arvind Pillai reports. Photo by Bowie Bello.

DRIVER'S LICENSES | Driver’s license bill for undocumented residents clears Mass. House

The Massachusetts House of Representatives approved a bill on Feb. 16 that would allow undocumented residents to obtain driver’s licenses. Now, results of a state ballot question will determine the bill's fate. READ MORE
Aaron Gruen reports. Photo by Ian Lau.

PRIMARIES |
Established Democrats defeat lesser-known challengers in Mass. primaries

How did we get here? The Daily recaps a busy primary election season for attorney general, lieutenant governor, governor and state representative seats. READ MORE
Olivia Field reports. Photo by Natalie Brownsell.

CONGRESS | Ayanna Pressley, “The Squad” rally supporters in Somerville

“The Squad is big,” Pressley said. “You cannot deny the power of this moment, the radical love in this room. In 2018, I ran on the mandate that change can’t wait. It still can’t.” READ MORE
Aaron Gruen reports. Photo by Aaron Gruen.

STUDENT LOANS | Tufts community reacts to Biden administration’s student loan forgiveness plan

This initiative is the Biden administration’s largest effort to mitigate the financial burden of college on students. READ MORE
Aditya Acharya reports. Photo by Natalie Brownsell.

ABORTION | Solomont Speaker Series panel explores impact of Dobbs decision on reproductive and other rights

The panel considered the implications of June’s landmark Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization in the intersecting realms of healthcare policy and legislation. READ MORE
Layla Shaffer reports. Photo by Natalie Brownsell.

GUN LAWS | Tufts medical study finds common ground in gun regulation

Last month, the Tufts University School of Medicine released a gun safety study in partnership with 97Percent, a bipartisan gun safety organization. The study was led by Dr. Michael Siegel, a professor of public health and community medicine at TUSM. READ MORE
Olivia Field reports. Photo by Katrina Aquilino.

IMMIGRATION | The future of immigration policy and where universities fit in

Despite the lack of attention given to immigration policy in both the media and national government, there are currently small changes happening to address immigration-related issues, according to Kim Wilson, senior lecturer at The Fletcher School. READ MORE
Katie Furey reports. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

ELECTIONS |
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon reflects on his time at Tufts and political journey

Tufts alumnus and current Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon (LA‘92) sat down with the Daily to talk about campaigning for office and working as his state's chief elections officer. READ MORE
Abby Stern reports. Photo courtesy Steve Simon.

BIPARTISANSHIP | Breaking the dichotomy, Part 1: Nuance in an unnuanced and volatile politics

In a politically volatile America, what can Democrats and Republicans agree on? Actually, a fair amount, as leaders of political organizations at Tufts point to the possibility of a greater civil dialogue. READ MORE
Guillem Colom reports. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

This newsletter was compiled by Evelyn Altschuler and Ty Blitstein.