State leaders react to Ballot Question 2 being passed

Ballot question number two passed, removing MCAS standardized testing as a high school graduation requirement. 22 News Statehouse reporter Olivia Ray joins us from Beacon Hill with reaction from state leaders to this change. Since the passage of ballot question two, state leaders who opposed the measure are speaking up. Question two gets rid of MCAS standardized testing as a high school graduation requirement, with the intention of replacing it with other requirements, like assessment of coursework and teacher feedback. Senate President Karen Spilka expressed her concerns about question two leading up to the election, saying MCAS is part of the rigorous system that makes Massachusetts a national leader in education. In late October, Spilka and House Speaker Ron Mariano both said they were not ready to rule out making legislative changes to this and other voter-approved laws. 22 News is awaiting a statement from Spilka's office, updating voters on her plan to address the new law. Governor Healey is also an outspoken no voter on question two. In a press conference on Wednesday, she addressed the question's passage. The voters have spoken on this and I think what's important now is that DESE move forward in getting out the appropriate guidance right now in terms of implementation. When asked if she would consider supporting a legislative measure to overturn the ballot results, Healey said she will not engage in hypotheticals, but she would review, quote, anything that comes to her desk. It is possible that lawmakers will take action on other ballot questions, and state leadership has already announced that they're looking into the constitutionality of question one. Working for you from the Statehouse in Boston, I'm Olivia Rae, 22 News.