The Human Rights Campaign (a gay lobby which was somehow well prepared for this decision), reports that amending the MA Constitution is quite difficult and lengthy. Not so sure they are telling the whole story, but they assert it takes 3 years. They also assert that
59 percent [of Massachusetts voters] favor marriage for same-sex couples, and an even more impressive 77 percent either favor marriage equality or would not oppose a judicial or legislative decision extending marriage to same-sex couples.If true, why not just pass an initiative and be done with it? Why the Rube Goldberg with no clear outcome?
I believe the trouble with the initiative process in Mass. is that to pass a constitutional amendment, it must be approved by 2/3 of the legislature in two successive sessions in order to be submitted to the voters.
That aren't crazy like us Californians, amending our Constitution twice a year!
Posted by: BoiFromTroy at November 19, 2003 01:29 PM