Crawford Strategies principal Stephen Crawford has extensive experience representing referendums, serving as the chief spokesman for Question 1 in 2008 and Question 3 in 2010.
Both initiatives would have devastated every city, school and town throughout the Commonwealth in an already turbulent economy. Question 1 sought to eliminate the state income tax while Question 3 proposed slashing the state sales tax by more than half. Questions 1 and 3 both enjoyed broad support early in the election cycle.
Crawford Strategies handled both local and national media for both questions, getting articles placed in the New York Times, Forbes Magazine, and USA Today. Crawford Strategies helped ensure Question 1 and Question 3 gained the editorial support of Massachusetts’ major newspapers, including The Boston Globe and The Quincy-Patriot Ledger.
Crawford Strategies principal Stephen Crawford participated in a number of television and radio debates against proponents of the initiatives. Mr. Crawford employed his knowledge of local issues to emphasize the devastating effects that these reckless tax cuts would have created in towns and cities across the state.
Both referendums were defeated in landslide victories. With 70 percent of the popular vote, Question 1 was voted down, while Question 3 was voted down with 57 percent of the popular vote.