 |
|
August 2001 The political leaders who could thwart the ballot process and stop the citizens from deciding the future of marriage in Massachusetts are pictured above. Attorney General Thomas Reilly (top left) will decide this month whether to approve the language of the Amendment. He has already indicated he strongly favors gay marriage. Many observers will be watching to see whether he is fair in his decision about the Amendment. He could also water down the proposal to make it meaningless. However, he wishes to become Governor and therefore will watch carefully what he believes to be the mood of the people. Chief Justice Margaret Marshall (second from left) and the other justices on the SJC will hear any appeals by the parties in September from the decision of the Attorney General. She is an avowed feminist and has indicated publicly that she favors gay marriage. Her personal feeling would be to kill the Amendment this fall and decide the future of marriage herself. But she also is a politician and would be hesitant to go against the overwhelming, obvious will of the people. Senate President Thomas Birmingham (third from left) and House Speaker Thomas Finneran (right) will be in charge of the vote of the legislature in 2002 and 2004. At both those times, 25% of the legislature must approve the Amendment in order for the citizens to vote on it at the election in November 2004. The legislature could even keep the measure in committee and not allow a vote on it if they do not want the citizens to decide the measure. Birmingham has generally supported measures that change marriage such as Domestic Partnerships while Finneran has supported the institution of marriage. Therefore, it is expected that Birmingham will oppose letting the people decide and Finneran will be in favor of the Amendment. |
Copyright ©2001 Massachusetts News, Inc. Photocopying and data processing storage of all or any part of this issue may not be made without prior written consent. |
