6 Initiative Petitions Advance, Could Reach November Ballot 

BOSTON (AP) — Six initiative petitions have been officially cleared to go before Massachusetts lawmakers and perhaps the state’s voters.

Secretary of State William Galvin certified Thursday that sponsors of the proposals collected more than the 64,750 signatures of registered voters required to advance to the next stage.

The six petitions include two versions of a proposal calling for strict nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals.

Also advancing are proposals to gradually raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour; require paid family leave for workers; lower the state’s sales tax and create a permanent sales tax holiday; and establish a commission to explore a constitutional amendment on corporate campaign financing.

If the measures are not approved in the Legislature by May, they could go on the November state ballot.