Answer of the Justices to the Governor

To His Excellency, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:

The undersigned Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court respectfully submit the following response to the questions set forth in the Governor’s request dated March 15, 2005.1

The questions as to which the Governor has requested our opinion are:

“1. Does the Governor have the power and authority to de-designate the Chairperson of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority for conduct consisting of mismanagement, neglect of duty, and/or fiscal irresponsibility where the Chairperson will remain a voting member of the Turnpike and where…