Number 14. October 4, 1974

Number 14. October 4, 1974 Honorable John F. X. Davoren Secretary of the Commonwealth State House Boston, Massachusetts 02133 Dear Secretary Davoren: By letter dated September 9, 1974, you have asked me whether the P.D. 12 57 following question is one of public policy in accordance with section 19 of Chapter 53 of the Massachusetts General Laws: "Shall the Representative from this District be instructed to vote to approve a resolution memorializing the Congress of the United States in favor of federal land use controls as proposed by the Nantucket Sound Islands Trust Bill?" Although the question presented is one of particular interest geo- graphically, it is my opinion that the question is also an "important pub- lic question," since it concerns itself with important environmental is- sues in which "every citizen of the Commonwealth has an interest," and it is therefore a question of "public policy" within the meaning of G. L. c. 53. § 19. Sec 1939 Op. Atty. Gen., pp. 99-100; 1955 Op. Atty. Gen., pp. 51-52; 1969 Op. Atty. Gen., pp. 37-38. See also, 8 Op. Atty. Gen. (1928), pp. 490, 491-92; 1965 Op. Atty. Gen., pp. 92-93. Conse- quently, the question may properly be included on the election ballot in the Representative District which you have mentioned, namely: Nan- tucket Representative. You have requested further that I supply your office with a suitable statement of the question for presentation upon the ballot. It is my opin- ion that the question should be printed on the ballot in the form in which it appears in this letter. Very truly yours, ROBERT H. QUINN Attorney General