"The governor is pro-business and wants to get as many jobs back in Massachusetts as possible," Popeo says.

Opponents of Question 5--including Roosevelt--believe that reforming the "blue laws" will remove precious family time and will put small businesses at a disadvantage.

The Boston Retail Grocers Association and the New England Convenience Store Association, two major small business associations, have recently announced their opposition to Question 5.

But large retail business associations, such as the Massachusetts Retail Association and the Massachusetts Food Association, have supported reforming the blue laws.

"An examination of the supporters on both sides of this issue demonstrates very clearly what this fight is about," says John Laughlin, spokesperson for the Vote No on Question 5 Committee. "The large, national retail chains in the state...know that by opening on Sunday mornings, they will draw shoppers away from their independent, neighborhood stores."

Pat Oppedisano, who owns Decatur Market, a "mom and pop" retail store in Arlington, says large businesses support Question 5 because they want to force small stores, like his, to close.

"The big retailers are not content when they're getting most of the business--they want it all," Oppedisano said in a statement. "Their greed is at the expense of the little guy."

Opponents of Question 5 also insist that if the blue laws are repealed, "family time" will be greatly reduced, because some family members might have to work seven days a week.

"[Roosevelt] is against five, the principle there is that so people will have some time to spend with their families," says Michael B. Gritton, communications director for the Roosevelt campaign. "We need to defend at least one day a week where people will have time to spend with their families."

TERM LIMITS

Supporters of Question 4, which would limit office terms, say elected officials should not be able to prolong their service indefinitely.

"Weld believes that people should not make the job a career," Popeo says. "It is important to get new blood in there."

Roosevelt opposes Question 4, but he believes that some offices should have limited terms.

Roosevelt suggests limiting the terms of Senate president, speaker of the House and chairs of state legislative committees to eight years, according to Robson.

"After eight years, they should move along," Robson says. "The power has become so centralized that it is no longer beneficial to the political process and to the taxpayers."