Newton Upper Falls, MA - VoteOnMarriage.org - the campaign to allow the people to decide on the definition of marriage in Massachusetts - announced that in today's Constitutional Convention the legislature voted to recess until January 2007 without taking a vote on the people's amendment on marriage, agenda item 20 on the Constitutional Convention calendar.

A legislative amendment on marriage, brought forward by gay marriage supporter Sen. Jarrett Barrios, was voted upon and defeated, but the citizen-initiated amendment on marriage did not receive a vote.

"Senate President Travaglini and House Speaker DiMasi have broken trust with the citizens of Massachusetts by delaying the people's constitutional business," said Kris Mineau, president, Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman, VoteOnMarriage.org. "Is this the 'new day' the citizens of Massachusetts voted for?" Mineau added.

Article 48 of the Constitution requires the Governor to call the legislature to fulfill their obligation to vote on the people's amendment.

"With the failure of the legislators to vote on the people's amendment, we are confident that Governor Romney will fulfill his constitutional obligation under Article 48 to ensure the people's voices are heard," said Tom Shields, chairman, Coalition for Marriage

and Family.

The marriage amendment requires support by 25% of the legislature in 2006 and 2007 before it goes to the statewide ballot in 2008.

More than 170,000 citizens signed petitions to bring the marriage amendment before the legislature.

View Vote Tally for Nov. 9 Con Con Motion to Recess