California Legislators Approved Same-Sex Marriage

[esskreemr]

In all the turmoil from the hurricane, California managed to push through legislation that allows same-sex marriage.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,168643,00.html

Keep in mind that CA voters approved of Prop 22 that prohibited CA from acknowledging same sex marriages from other states and countries.

I honestly still don't see the reason as to how same-sex marriage presents a threat to the American family. If the Church doesn't want to recognize the marriage, so be it, they don't have to.

[Inquartata]

Has Der Governator indicated that he's inclined to sign it?

[Have At You]

This'll be interesting. The state's voters defeated this by proposition overwhelmingly, with even San Francisco voting against it. But the legislature passed it anyway.

The Democrat legislators had nothing to lose by doing so, since the whole assembly is gerrymandered into near-absolute job security, and this isn't likely to be a career-killing vote one way or the other.

But the governor has indicated he would veto the bill, on the basis that (wait for it... wait for it...) this is an issue properly left to the courts to decide.

Seems like no matter what the Gov does, he's going to upset a lot of his Republican base on this one. Good luck, Arnie!

[gojujay]

One of the arguments I've heard is that ONLY 19% of Californians approved Prop 22 in the first place, so how can you call that a majority. I don't agree with that argument but it is making the rounds.

[Have At You]

That's like saying only a minority of the population voted, so nobody's bound by the outcome. Idiotic argument.

[Zilverzmurfen]

In all the turmoil from the hurricane, California managed to push through legislation that allows same-sex marriage.

Congrats Californians, it's a step into the 21st century.

[keith]

Congrats Californians, it's a step into the 21st century.

don't get ahead of yourself this is the american two step; one step forward one step back 100 years.

[Larrison]

One of the arguments I've heard is that ONLY 19% of Californians approved Prop 22 in the first place, so how can you call that a majority. I don't agree with that argument but it is making the rounds.

I went and looked at the results -- the Proposition was passed by 61.4% of the voters while 38.6% voted against the proposition.

Arguments which use a percentage of the total population don't make sense, and you have to look at the voters in the state. if its a state law. Else its sort of like saying no law is legitimate since it was never approved by a majority of every woman, man, and child in the state (or country.... or world...)

[Fencergrl]

The status quo is good too....BC, has a booming tourist trade of Americans who want a same sex marriage... they're legal here and a nice place to visit!

[Larrison]

Congrats Californians, it's a step into the 21st century.

It looks like the Governor of California is going to Veto the bill, since it goes against the previous public vote on the topic. (see my other posting). Ref: http://www.latimes.com/news/politics...lines-politics

If the California State Assembly and Senate want to pass this law, they'll have to override the Governor's veto by a 2/3rds majority vote, if memory serves. However, this is unlikely as the Democratic Party doesn't have a 2/3 rds majority in the state legislature, and it will be somewhat perilous in general for a legislator to overturn something the state's voting population has rejected by a 60/40 margin.

As it is, the California Surpreme Court has not yet ruled on the constitutionality of Prop 22, so putting a lot of political capital in fighting this specific battle before the 2006 state elections probably isn't going to happen either.

[foildad]

But the governor has indicated he would veto the bill, on the basis that (wait for it... wait for it...) this is an issue properly left to the courts to decide.

That's right, the legislature shouldn't legislate, we should leave that to the courts. Damn activist judges. Where are they when you need 'em?

[mrbiggs]

One of the arguments I've heard is that ONLY 19% of Californians approved Prop 22 in the first place, so how can you call that a majority. I don't agree with that argument but it is making the rounds.

That's somewhat true. I don't agree with much of California's legislative system...but if it was passed within the bounds of their constitution, that's their problem.

I think that's great, and I can't wait until my state catches up...