Why we have a ballot question Q1 Nurse/Patient ratios

As many of our readers know, Ballot Question are an expensive and somewhat divisive and controversial way to fix something. They mainly stem from residents who want to change something in our lives that they feel is wrong or unjust. Many of these same regular people try their best to bring their ideas and proposals to our State Legislature. It's no different with Q1, the staffing of nurses per patient. The MWDN and the State House News did a nice job explaining to the readers how far back the question of nurse staffing goes in this state. Just like so many other public policy questions that have been ignored by the legislature, decrim of cannabis, medical use of cannabis, legalization of cannabis, tax roll back, legalized gambling, toll equity, dying with dignity, etc etc.
The Speaker of the House Bob Deleo has said he is unsure if he supports Q1. But some history here: In 2006 the same question, "to formulate a set of standards and limits" he voted for as House Ways and Means Chair. In 2008 Deleo voted for a proposal that "instructs the DPH to establish limits and nurse staffing levels in hospitals". And in the past few years the Legislature had the opportunity to to do something about the nurse per patient issue but did not.
When enough people decide that they had enough of the Beacon Hill bullshit they head for the ballot box. It's the only tool we have as citizens to get something done, fix something or stop or start something. Beacon Hill is awash with deep pocket lobbyists, major corporations and self serving elected officials who are afraid of their own shadows. They refuse to act on behalf of a certain group and the only option nurses have is to put a question on the ballot. Millions of dollars are being spent to defeat this Q1. One more reason the believe the hospital industry has to much money laying around and could have hired more nurse long ago. Does anyone really think the nurses have no position here.. are they just lying about nurse patient ratios as it pertains to patient safety? Are they all in it for more money? More union member's? more traffic congestion at Longwood getting more nurses employed there?
My answer is no.. there's no underlying nefarious reason put forward by the nurses. They see every day what we don't, unless we are in one of the hospitals. They know what is going on and tried to fix it. And I'm with the thought of better care for patients and reasonable nurse patient limits. And if Beacon Hill had acted way way back, this question would have never appeared on our ballot.