Happy Tuesday! We love a short week.

• We're catching you up on two state ballot questions — one on gun control and the other on conservation funding.

🎂 Happy birthday to our member Jane Connell!

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Today’s newsletter is 1,003 words — a 4-minute read.

Question 9 is asking Massachusetts voters whether to keep or repeal the state's 2024 firearms law.

• A yes vote keeps the law in place.
• A no vote repeals it.

Why it matters: The law, Chapter 135, added several new layers of gun control in Massachusetts when it was signed two years ago.

• Privately made firearms, like 3D-printed "ghost guns," require serial numbers.
• School administrators and health providers can initiate the "red flag" system and petition courts to remove guns from dangerous people.
• Semi-automatic rifles and shotguns can only be owned by those 21 years old and up.

State of play: Supporters say the law updated rules for newer firearms technology and strengthens tools to prevent suicide.

• Opponents cite constitutional concerns, compliance and training costs and burdens on local police.

The law also limits carrying in schools, polling locations and government buildings.

• It classifies assault-style firearms and requires additional training and electronic registration.
• Training topics include suicide prevention, use-of-force law and conflict avoidance.

Zoom in: The question is a referendum on a law already in effect, not a proposal for new rules.

• Gov. Maura Healey signed it in July 2024 after lawmakers approved it.
• Gun-rights advocates collected enough signatures to put the repeal question on the ballot.

Between the lines: Repeal wouldn't erase the bulk of Massachusetts' existing strict gun rules, including licensing, safety training and the earlier assault weapons ban.

By the numbers: A MassINC poll from September found 70% would keep the law, 18% would repeal it and 11% were undecided.

What's next: The state registration and serialization deadline arrives Oct. 28, six days before the election.

Spread the word

There are no lawsuits or bitter attack ads against Question 6, which would set aside state funding for conservation efforts.

• But the ballot measure has sparked speculation about state spending and unintended consequences.

Why it matters: Even the least controversial ballot questions can raise questions on Beacon Hill.

Catch up quick: State lawmakers have invested roughly $400 million every year between bonded funding and operational spending for conservation and related projects.

• State reports suggest that Massachusetts needs to increase conservation spending as part of its long-term climate resilience measures.

State of play: Question 6 would require lawmakers to set aside at least $65 million a year in a new fund starting in fiscal 2029.

• The funding wouldn't raise taxes.
• Instead, it would pull 50% of existing state tax revenue from sporting goods, RVs and golfing-related sales.

How it works: Question 6 would create a "Nature for All" fund, overseen by a 15-member board, to support land restoration, park improvements and other conservation projects.

• The state would have to direct half of the earmark to the fund in fiscal 2028 before ramping up to full funding.

What they're saying: "There is nothing that we pay for clean water and clean air that has a dedicated funding source, and so this invests in those critical resources," Katie Theoharides, former state secretary of energy and environmental affairs under Gov. Charlie Baker, told Boston.com.

• Theoharides is now president and CEO of The Trustees, part of the steering committee behind the ballot measure.

Friction point: On its face, environmental advocacy groups support the measure, while the state Republican Party says it would hamstring lawmakers as they decide how to spend taxpayer funds every year.

• No opposition campaign has formed against Question 6.

Yes, but: Evan Horowitz, executive director at the Tufts University Center for State Policy Analysis, suggests another possible downside — the ballot measure's floor could inadvertently become the ceiling, as it did with the earmark created for the MBTA in 2000.

• "I understand the appeal. I just worry that people are going to be disappointed with the result," Horowitz tells Axios.
• "It is too easy for the legislature to use this money, not to increase spending, but just to fund the thing it already funds."

Go deeper

🏥 Brigham and Women's Hospital nurses postponed what would have been the largest open-ended nurses strike in state history. (CBS News Boston)

• The union put the planned Wednesday walkout on hold so about 4,000 nurses could vote on Mass General Brigham's latest offer.

💼 HubSpot co-founder and CTO Dharmesh Shah apologized after criticism of a LinkedIn post that thanked employees the company had just laid off. (Boston Business Journal)

• HubSpot cut about 660 jobs, roughly 7% of its global workforce. Neither Shah nor the company responded to the BBJ's requests for comment.

🚇 A man died Sunday night after touching the electrified third rail on the MBTA Red Line in Quincy, Transit Police said. (WCVB)

• It happened near the Neponset River Bridge shortly before midnight, and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

ICYMI: 🏈 The Patriots beat the Raiders 45-17 at Gillette Stadium on Sunday. (Boston.com)

• Drake Maye threw for 374 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. He also ran for a score.
• The win moved New England to 3-2.

Wednesday

💗 "Love Is Blind: Boston" premieres tonight with 30 romance-seeking locals.

• The Lansdowne Pub is one of several venues hosting a watch party, 7pm.

Thursday

🎤 Olivia Rodrigo kicks off the TD Garden stop of her tour at 7pm, followed by shows Saturday and Sunday night.

• Tickets are sold out. Last-minute spots could open up, but it'll probably cost you.
  

Friday

The Head of the Charles kicks off, 7am.

• The races continue through Sunday.

Saturday

📚 The Boston Book Festival returns to Copley Square, 10am-6pm.

Tell a friend who needs to leave the house

Deehan totally forgot it was Honk! weekend until he came out of the Davis station straight into brass band ground zero.

Steph had a great weekend.

This newsletter was edited by Jeff Weiner.