BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts voters decide five ballot questions Tuesday, including giving union rights of carpooling company drivers like Uber and Lyft.

Other questions would allow the use of certain plant-based psychedelicseliminate the use of statewide testing as a high school graduation requirement and gradually increase the minimum hourly wage for workers who collect tips.

Allow Uber and Lyft drivers to unionize

Drivers for ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft are considered independent contractors who are not allowed to unionize under federal law.

The proposal would allow them to unionize in the state. Drivers would not be required to participate. Individual businesses could join together to form associations to represent their interests in negotiations.

Under the measure, the state would have the right to approve negotiated contracts. The proposal would also create a hearing process when a company or union is accused of an unfair labor practice.

Unions pushed for change despite a settlement announced in June by the state attorney general’s office, guaranteeing Uber and Lyft drivers a minimum wage of $32.50 an hour.

Opponents said the measure would raise prices for passengers without directly benefiting drivers. Critics have also argued that the issue would create what they call “a radical new class of workers” that would be inconsistent with federal labor laws and say drivers already enjoy benefits, including a lower hourly rate. high and paid sick and family leave.

Raise the minimum wage for tipped workers

The proposal would gradually increase the amount employers must pay workers who collect tips, such as servers in restaurants.

The state wage for tipped workers is now $6.75 an hour, while minimum hourly wage for most other workers, it’s $15. Now, if a worker doesn’t earn enough in tips to reach $15 an hour, the employer must make up the difference.

Under the proposal, employers would have to pay tipped workers $9.60 on January 1. By January 1, 2029, employers would have to pay them the full state minimum wage.

Supporters argued that tipping should be a reward for good service, not a subsidy for low wages. Critics said the proposal would reduce overall wages for servers, increase costs for restaurants, raise the price of restaurant meals and could force the closure of some neighborhood restaurants.

Legalize psychedelics

Ballot question would allow residents 21 and older growing and using herbal psychedelics in certain circumstances, making it the Third state legalize certain psychotropic drugs considered illegal by the federal government.

Psychedelics would include two found in so-called “magic mushrooms” – psilocybin and psilocyne – and three from plants – mescaline, dimethyltryptamine and ibogaine.

The measure would allow substances to be purchased in approved locations for use under the supervision of a licensed facilitator. Although this would prohibit retail sales, it would allow individuals to grow psychedelics at home and share them.

The proposal would allow regulation and taxation of psychedelics and create a five-member commission to oversee the industry.

Critics have warned it could lead to a black market. They also argued that nothing would stop centers from giving psychedelics to people considered high risk, such as those with schizophrenia, bipolar illness or who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Dropping Tests as a Condition of High School Graduation

Massachusetts students must pass comprehensive tests to receive a high school diploma. The ballot question would not eliminate the tests, but passing them would no longer be required for graduation.

Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System tests are administered in mathematics, science and technology, and English.

Instead of passing the tests, students would be required to take courses certified by the local school district and meet state academic standards in subjects.

Teachers’ unions have been among the most vocal critics of using tests as a graduation requirement, saying “teaching to the tests” limits their ability to give students a more well-rounded education.

Proponents of testing have argued that without requiring testing, school districts would adopt less stringent standards for students to graduate. They said it was unfair to award degrees to students who are not ready.

Authorize the audit of the Legislative Assembly

The proposal would give the state auditor the power to audit the Massachusetts Legislature — a ballot question led by State Auditor Diana DiZoglio, who has served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate .

DiZoglio argued that the Legislature is the only state entity that refuses to be audited, that it is one of the least transparent in the country and that it is one of the few to exempt itself from records laws public.

Critics said the question would violate the separation of powers provided in the Massachusetts Constitution.

They also argued that giving DiZoglio and his successors the power to control the Legislature would turn them into “political actors” with undue influence over the legislative process. Legislative leaders called the proposed audit unnecessary.