Number 15. October 4, 1974

Number 15. October 4, 1974 Honorable John F. X. Davoren Secretary of the Commonwealth State House Boston, Massachusetts 02133 Dear Secretary Davoren: By a letter dated September 9. 1974, you have asked me whether the 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 the passage of a bill which would extend the Rent Control Enabling Act indefinitely without limit in time?" It is my opinion that the question presented is an "important public question" in which "every citizen of the Commonwealth has an in- terest" and is therefore a question of "public policy" within the mean- ing of G. L. c. 53, § 19. See 1939 Op. Atty. Gen., pp. 99-100; 1955 Op. Atty. Gen., pp. 51-52. See also 8 Op. Atty. Gen. (1928), 490, 491,94; 1965 Op. Atty. Gen., pp. 92-93. Consequently, the question may prop- erly be included on the election ballot in the Representative District which you have mentioned, namely: 4th Middlesex. 58 P.D. 12 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