3 proposals on threshold of '02 ballot
Three proposed ballot initiatives advanced toward the November 2002 ballot yesterday after Secretary of State William F. Galvin certified the required signatures, paving the way for the Legislature to consider them in January. The three initiatives, which needed more than 57,100 each to be certified, would amend the state Constitution to limit marriage to the union of a man and woman, create a law abolishing the state income tax, and replace bilingual education in public schools with an English immersion program. The three proposals were the only survivors among 24 originally offered. ''This is the required step before the initiatives reach the ballot, and gives the Legislature the opportunity to hold hearings and possibly take action on an issue,'' said Ron Unz, a California businessman and leader of the English immersion initiative. The Legislature has until April 30 to act on the measures. If no action is taken, the petitioners will have to compile close to 10,000 new signatures. But the so-called protection of marriage amendment must follow a slightly different path before it can reach the ballot. As a constitutional change, it must first be approved by at least a quarter of the members of the House and the Senate in two successive sessions. The Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus plans to question the validity of some signatures obtained in support of the amendment and hopes to mount a challenge before the first week in January, the deadline. ''This is the worst time of the year to ask people to volunteer but we'll do our best," said Arlene Isaacson, a lead organizer for the caucus. ''There are thousands of fraudulent signatures and it's a sin to let them get away with this.'' |