Direct democracy, Athenian style, revives itself in Massachusetts politics every election season.

Voters have the chance to directly affect Commonwealth policy by voting on four ballot initiatives, in the form of amendments to Massachusetts's Constitution.

This November voters can decide whether to:

make it more difficult for state legislators to get pay raises.

.revamp the state's campaign finance system and ban soft-money.

.reduce state income taxes.

.stop a complex restructuring of the state power industries.

A Say in Pay?

Amendment one is perhaps the most simple.

A "Yes" vote would tie pay raises for state legislators to the commonwealth's median household incomes, and take away their ability to vote themselves pay raises. Proponents say this helps insure the integrity of elected officials.

"The salaries of legislators--just like the salaries of everyone else--will be tied to the economy," reads a position paper submitted to the state by the amendment's sponsors.

A "No" would leave the system in its current form. Legislators would still be able to raise their pay when they so desire.

Opponents say the Massachusetts Constitution is no place for salary mandates of legislators. They call the amendment unnecessary.

Wanna Buy a Candidate?

The second constitutional change is perhaps the most politically charged of the four.