The proposed amendment confers considerable authority upon cities and towns with respect to the conduct of municipal government, including the authority to adopt, repeal, and amend city and town charters and, in accordance therewith, local ordinance and by-laws. The General Court retains general power to act in relation to cities and towns and class thereof and, in some circumstances, to enact special laws regarding a particular municipality, including laws for its incorporation, dissolution, or merger. Cities and towns are not empower to act with respect to general elections, taxation, pledges of credit, dispositions of park land, general civil relationships, the punishment of felonies, or the imposition of imprisonment except as the General Court may lawfully confer such powers upon them.