BOSTON --Gov. Mitt Romney said Sunday he would ask the state's highest court to order an anti-gay marriage amendment question onto the ballot if legislators fail to vote on the matter when they reconvene in January.
Romney said he would file a legal action this week asking a justice of the Supreme Judicial Court to direct the secretary of state to place the question on the ballot if lawmakers don't vote directly on the question on Jan. 2, the final day of the session.
Romney, an opponent of gay marriage who decided not to seek re-election as he considers running for president, made his announcement to the cheers of hundreds of gay marriage opponents at a rally on the Statehouse steps.
"The constitution quite plainly states that when a qualified petition is placed before them, the Legislature 'shall vote.' It does not say 'may vote,' or vote if procedures permit a vote, or vote if there are enough of the members in the chamber. It says, 'shall vote.'" Romney said.
More than 170,000 people had signed a petition in support of the ballot question, which would define marriage as between only a man and a woman.
Romney has criticized lawmakers since they voted 109-87 earlier this month refusing to take up the question during a joint session, voting instead to recess until Jan. 2 and all but killing the measure.
"The issue now before us is not whether same-sex couples should marry," Romney said. "The issue before us today is whether 109 legislators will follow the constitution."
Jeff
That's right! Call them out for their tricks and games. Get this issue on the ballot!