Legislators debate reforming Mass. Constitutional amendment process

[Ian David]

Legislators debate reforming Mass. Constitutional amendment process
POSSIBLE CHANGES INCLUDE UPPING NUMBER OF VOTES NEEDED FOR AMENDMENT ADVANCEMENT, ADDING CIVIL RIGHTS TO LIST RESTRICTED FROM BECOMING BALLOT QUESTIONS; MARRIAGE EQUALITY ADVOCATES HOPEFUL

Lawmakers from the joint Committee on the Judiciary heard testimony this week on proposed reforms to the citizens' initiative process for amending the state Constitution that, if enacted, would safeguard the GLBT community and other minorities from potentially discriminatory laws.

While one reform seeks to raise the threshold for advancing proposed amendments from 50 to 100 votes, another proposed change would add civil rights to a list of protected liberties already restricted from becoming ballot questions.

"If these bills are enacted," said Arline Isaacson, chairwoman of the Massachusetts Gay & Lesbian Political Caucus, they would make a "huge difference" in blocking any future amendments banning gay marriage. "It's simply unfair for a minority of legislators to put the rights of minorities on the ballot." She added that the testimonies about fraud and forgery during the signature collection process points to a "dirty and sullied process."

MassEquality spearheaded the overall effort during the day's hearings "to explain to legislators why it is always wrong to hold a popular vote on civil rights," said MassEquality.org's campaign director Marc Solomon.

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