Mass. Constitutional Convention (Feb.2004)

Constitutional Convention (Monday, March 29, 2004)

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CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION: MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2004

Ladies and gentlemen, stand up for a clear-cut question for your constituents. If the gentleman from Boston would just explain to us what his intent is, so we can have a clear-cut answer.Sen. Travaglini said I urge the gentleman to have that conversation privately.

Sen. Barrios said I move for a call of the yeas and nays.Sen. Travaglini said that has already been ordered, and ordered a roll call. Several members rose to be recognized, but the Senate clerk continued to call the roll.SENATE VOTE WAS 29 – 10HOUSE VOTE WAS 82 – 76BY ROLL CALL VOTE OF 111 – 86 THE AMENDMENT IS ADOPTEDSen. Lees was recognized. Sen. Travaglini asked for members to take their seats. Sen. Lees said I appreciate everyone’s input. 101 votes are now needed to move this to the next constitutional convention, otherwise known as final acceptance. If you vote no, nothing concerning this particular issue would move on to the next constitutional convention. What that would mean, is that the order of the SJC must be allowed and would prevail without any modifications to that. I would like one more time to read the text so everybody knows exactly what it is.Sen. Hart was recognized. Sen. Travaglini asked members to take their seats.Sen. Lees said this is the final vote of the day – up or down. (Sen. Lees read the text of the amendment). Because the federal government has a DOMA in place, nothing in this amendment can require citizens to pay into a benefits program. When we started this process several weeks ago, that if a constitutional question was brought forward, all of the rights, benefits and privileges could be denied. This legislature did not roll the clock back. We did not make certain people happy on one side or the other. We are not discriminating with this amendment, and we are not taking a step back. I think this says a lot about where this legislature has come in the last year. No debate has ever been shut off in this chamber. I think that says a lot about the people in this chamber, on the right and the left. I know many of you are not happy with some of the actions we’re taking. But let me just point out we are providing every single right to same sex couples with the exception of the word marriage. Nothing however is done at this point. Then we must come back next year and vote on the same exact issue again. At that point there is no amendments, only an up or down vote to move it to the ballot in 2006. It is not easy at this point to come up with a consensus amendment. There are people on the right and the left that are not happy with you. But I believe there are many people in this state that do not want to discriminate. I have not been as eloquent as some other speakers, but I have made sure that everyone has made known what is going on at every step. Mr. President I appreciate your continued support. Your first constitutional convention has been spectacular and has been done with class. I thank you all for listening to me so many times. I assure you I will not get up again.

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Pictures and Photos Local News Constitutional Convention Transcripts Username Password	Constitutional Convention (Monday, March 29, 2004) «Previous Page · 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 · Next Page» CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION: MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2004 Ladies and gentlemen, stand up for a clear-cut question for your constituents. If the gentleman from Boston would just explain to us what his intent is, so we can have a clear-cut answer.Sen. Travaglini said I urge the gentleman to have that conversation privately. Sen. Barrios said I move for a call of the yeas and nays.Sen. Travaglini said that has already been ordered, and ordered a roll call. Several members rose to be recognized, but the Senate clerk continued to call the roll.SENATE VOTE WAS 29 – 10HOUSE VOTE WAS 82 – 76BY ROLL CALL VOTE OF 111 – 86 THE AMENDMENT IS ADOPTEDSen. Lees was recognized. Sen. Travaglini asked for members to take their seats. Sen. Lees said I appreciate everyone’s input. 101 votes are now needed to move this to the next constitutional convention, otherwise known as final acceptance. If you vote no, nothing concerning this particular issue would move on to the next constitutional convention. What that would mean, is that the order of the SJC must be allowed and would prevail without any modifications to that. I would like one more time to read the text so everybody knows exactly what it is.Sen. Hart was recognized. Sen. Travaglini asked members to take their seats.Sen. Lees said this is the final vote of the day – up or down. (Sen. Lees read the text of the amendment). Because the federal government has a DOMA in place, nothing in this amendment can require citizens to pay into a benefits program. When we started this process several weeks ago, that if a constitutional question was brought forward, all of the rights, benefits and privileges could be denied. This legislature did not roll the clock back. We did not make certain people happy on one side or the other. We are not discriminating with this amendment, and we are not taking a step back. I think this says a lot about where this legislature has come in the last year. No debate has ever been shut off in this chamber. I think that says a lot about the people in this chamber, on the right and the left. I know many of you are not happy with some of the actions we’re taking. But let me just point out we are providing every single right to same sex couples with the exception of the word marriage. Nothing however is done at this point. Then we must come back next year and vote on the same exact issue again. At that point there is no amendments, only an up or down vote to move it to the ballot in 2006. It is not easy at this point to come up with a consensus amendment. There are people on the right and the left that are not happy with you. But I believe there are many people in this state that do not want to discriminate. I have not been as eloquent as some other speakers, but I have made sure that everyone has made known what is going on at every step. Mr. President I appreciate your continued support. Your first constitutional convention has been spectacular and has been done with class. I thank you all for listening to me so many times. I assure you I will not get up again. «Previous Page · 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 · Next Page»