| It's national apple pie day (which really feels like something that should be celebrated in the fall, no?). Grab yourself a Table Talk and let's get to the news: The more you know: A new poll out today shows just how important it is to research those nearly dozen ballot questions potentially facing voters in November. The survey from the MassINC Polling Group, sponsored by Transportation for Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Voter Table, asked potential voters about a measure that would reduce the state's income tax from 5% to 4% over the next few years. Initially, most of those polled supported it. But once they were told more about it — namely critics' concerns that it would reduce funding for the state's budget and mostly benefit the state's wealthiest residents — support dropped to 40% with half planning to vote no. MassINC vice president Rich Parr told WBUR's John Bender it shows voters can likely be swayed in the months leading up to this fall's election. "People are very open to changing their minds," he said. "What information people hear about these questions can really make a big difference." (It could turn out that the income tax question never makes it to the ballot; the state's highest court is reviewing a challenge to the ballot language.) The poll is based on a survey of 800 registered voters, with an oversampling of voters living in Gateway Cities such as Brockton, Lowell and Springfield. The survey also asked about a few other issues: - Same-day registration: Most voters (58%) support a ballot question that would allow residents to register and vote on Election Day. A good chunk of those surveyed (37%) thought that it was already possible to do so.
- Getting there: Most people (52%) think making public transit free on election day would help make it easier for people to vote. The numbers are even higher for non-white voters (72%), current transit riders (66%) and Gateway City voters (69%).
- Bad news for Phil Eng: An overwhelming number of those polled (82%) think the state's transportation system is in fair or poor condition. And that's actually worse than survey results in 2024 and 2025. Only one in five think it's gotten better.
Laid to rest: A funeral Mass is being held this morning in Salem for the state trooper killed by a wrong-way driver last week. Trooper Kevin Trainor, 30, had just finished up a shift early Wednesday morning and was headed home when he responded to a call about a wrong-way driver on Route 1 in Lynnfield. The driver collided with Trainor's cruiser, killing them both. At Trainor's wake in Peabody yesterday, hundreds of law enforcement officers took part in a ceremonial walk to honor him. State police said they will retire his badge number, 5179. - Father Bob Murray of St. James Church, who is presiding over the funeral Mass, said Trainor's sense of serving others saved lives. "Courage and compassion and honor led him to try to thwart the man who was driving the wrong way," Murray told WBUR's Paul Connearney. "It ended tragically, but, at the same time, I couldn't imagine him not doing that."
- Gov. Maura Healey said she's met with transportation officials to talk about deploying more technology to detect wrong-way drivers.
Poppin': The Boston Pops are bringing some star power to the Esplanade to celebrate America's 250th birthday. The annual July Fourth Pops concert at the Hatch Shell will feature Chance the Rapper, country singer Lainey Wilson and New Orleans musician Trombone Shorty. It's each artist's first appearance with the Pops. And for the first time this year, the show's closing fireworks will be choreographed to music performed live by the Pops. P.S. — The temperatures are ever so slowly creeping up and that means one thing — ice cream season. And we want to know: what's the most out-of-the-carton flavor you've ever tried from a Boston-area creamery? (My vote: Toscanini's grape nut). Tell us your unique flavors and we'll share the top picks mentioned later this summer. | 
