A key deadline is approaching for supporters of proposed questions for the 2014 Massachusetts state ballot.
Backers are working to collect at least 68,911 signatures around Massachusetts to allow the initiative petitions to remain alive. Those signatures must be presented to city and town clerks by Wednesday so they can be certified in time to be submitted to the secretary of state's office by a Dec. 4 deadline.
Among the proposed ballot questions is an expansion of the state's beverage deposit law to include bottled water and other non-carbonated drinks.
Others proposals call for raising the state's minimum wage, creating a statewide policy for earned sick time, reducing excessive hospital operating margins and repealing the state's casino gambling law.
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