by Michael Foust, posted Thursday, December 28, 2006 (17 years ago)
‘Those [Massachusetts legislators] who now seek to avoid their lawful obligations ... ultimately will have to answer to the people who elected them.’ |
Massachusetts court ruling |
BOSTON (BP)--The highest court in Massachusetts delivered a stinging rebuke to legislators Dec. 27, declaring that members have a "constitutional duty" to vote on a proposed marriage amendment.
The seven justices on the Supreme Judicial Court said in the unanimous decision they had no "statutory authority" to force the legislature to vote. But they used most of the decision to spell out legislators' duties, and amendment supporters hope the decision will persuade enough legislators not to kill the amendment when a constitutional convention is convened Jan. 2, the final day of the session. Read More