This procedure is called the right of free petition. The official name for the Massachusetts legislature, usually used whenreferring to both branches. It is also sometimes called the Great and GeneralCourt. The message is written in letter format to the GeneralCourt , and the Bill accompanies the message. Thesedocuments are assigned one Bill number and are also contained within the Bills in the LegislativeDocuments volumes in the State Library.
Journals contain the procedural information of the process of legislativeevents.
The Journals do not contain debate. Negatived The rejection by the members of the General Court of a motion by a negative vote. Paired votes Two Senators may combine or pair a negative vote with a positive vote,and therefore cancel each other out. Petition Formal document to request consideration of a proposal to the legislature. The proposal, usually a Bill or a Resolve ,accompanies the petition.