Ballot Question Backers Face Deadline

Supporters of a handful of remaining ballot initiatives are facing a final deadline as they try to get their questions before voters in November.

Wednesday is the last day for supporters to deliver a second batch of more than 11,000 certified voter signatures to state Secretary William Galvin's office.

The remaining questions would repeal the state's casino gambling law, mandate earned sick time for Massachusetts workers, expand the bottle deposit law to include sports drinks and other beverages, and repeal a new law linking future hikes in the gas tax to the rate of inflation.

Three other questions have been withdrawn after lawmakers took action to address the issues.

Those withdrawn questions include a proposed hike in minimum wage.

Supporters pulled questions after lawmakers passed and Gov. Patrick signed a minimum wage hike.

[Associated Press]