Massachusetts Question 3, Aid to Private Higher Educational Institutions Amendment (1974)
| Massachusetts Question 3 | |
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| Election date |
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| Topic Higher education funding |
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| Status |
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| Type Legislatively referred constitutional amendment |
Origin |
Massachusetts Question 3 was on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment in Massachusetts on November 5, 1974. It was approved.
A “yes” vote supported repealing section 2 of Article 46 of the Articles of Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth so that aid for private higher educational institutions can be provided. |
A “no” vote opposed repealing section 2 of Article 46 of the Articles of Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth so that aid for private higher educational institutions can be provided. |
Election results
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Massachusetts Question 3 |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
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829,465 | 58.84% | ||
| No | 580,298 | 41.16% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Question 3 was as follows:
| “ | Do you approve of the adoption of an amendment to the constitution summarized below which was approved by the General Court in a joint session of the two branches held June 7, 1972, received 250 votes in the affirmative and 3 in the negative, and in a joint session of the two branches held June 6, 1973, received 253 votes in the affirmative and 0 in the negative? | ” |
Ballot summary
The ballot summary for this measure was:
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The proposed constitutional amendment would repeal section 2 of Article 46 of the Articles of Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth (the "anti-aid amendment ", so-called), and replace it with a new section 2, for the purpose of allowing grants in aid to private higher educational institutions or to students, or parents or guardians of students, attending such institutions. The proposed amendment would delete the first clause of the present section 2, which requires that all moneys raised by taxation in the tow ns and cities for the support of public-schools, and all moneys appropriated by the Commonwealth for the support of common schools shall be applied to or expended in only those schools conducted according to law under the order and superintendence of the authorities of the town or city in which the money is expended. The effect of the deletion of the first clause of section 2 would be to remove the constitutional prohibition against the use of public moneys, which have been raised by taxation or appropriated for support of public schools, tor grants in aid to priv ate higher educational institutions or to students, or parents or guardians of students, attending such institutions The proposed amendment would also alter the second clause of the present section 2 by removing the prohibition against a grant, appropriation or use of public money or property or loan of public credit by the Commonwealth or any political subdivision for the purpose of founding, maintaining or aiding any school or institution of learning, whether under public control or otherwise, wherein any denominational doctrine is inculcated, or any other school or any college which is not publicly owned and under the exclusive control, order and superintendence of public officers or public agents. In place of the foregoing. the proposed amendment would prohibit the grant, appropriation or use of public money or property or loan of credit by the Commonwealth or any political subdivision for the purpose of founding, maintaining or aiding any primary or secondary school which is not publicly owned and under the exclusive control, order and superintendence of public officers or public agents. The proposed amendment would also add to the present section 2 a provision that nothing therein shall be construed to prohibit grants in aid to private higher educational institutions or to students, or parents or guardians of students, attending such institutions. | ” |
Full Text
The full text of this measure is available here.
Path to the ballot
- See also: Amending the Massachusetts Constitution
A simple majority vote is required during two successive joint legislative sessions for the Massachusetts State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 101 votes in the joint session of the state legislature, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
See also
External links
Footnotes
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