Friday, June 15, 2007

• Gay Marriage Ban Fails in Mass.

  Massachusetts lawmakers rejected a proposed constitutional amendment on Thursday banning same-sex marriage.  The vote, which was defeated 45-151, was five votes shy of what was needed to place the proposed amendment on the 2008 ballot.  Governor Deval Patrick (D) and other Democratic leaders fiercly opposed the measure and lobbied hard against it.  Marriage in the state was opened to same-sex couples by the Massachusetts Supreme Court, the only ruling of its kind.  More than 8,500 couples have been married in the state since the ruling.

  Leaders of the petition drive were very disappointed, citing that the people still have not had their say on the issue.  In addition, they vowed to look into the possibility of ethics violations by Democratic officials who may have sought votes by "arm-twisting" or offering patronage jobs.  Presidential hopeful and former Governor of the state Mitt Romney called the vote "regrettable" and said that it is more important now to pass a national amendment.

  Under the state constitution, the next time the amendment could appear on a ballot is 2012. 

  Posted by D. Price

  • 9:41 AM
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