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NM: Senate Committee Kills Domestic Partnership Bill

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

A bill that would have allowed Domestic Partnerships providing basic legal protections and recognition of same-sex couple relationships and their families under New Mexico law was tabled by a 7 to 4 vote during a New Mexico Senate Finance Committee hearing this evening, effectively killing the bill for this legislative session.

While the domestic partnerships bill had the strong backing of New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, for nearly three weeks fierce debate has raged over the legislation. Several Republican lawmakers said that if the bill passed it would almost certainly lead to a lawsuit to bring same-sex marriage to the state.

The legislation would have establish that two unmarried people who live together as a committed couple are entitled to receive the same “rights and responsibilities” under state law as a married couple. Under the bill, both straight and gay couples could become domestic partners by filling out paperwork and paying a minimal fee to a county clerk.

Full Story from Lez Get Real
Click here for gay marriage resources.
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Posted in committee, domestic partnership bill, killed, new mexico, nm | No Responses »

NM: Governor Richardson Asks for Swift Action on Domestic Partner Bill

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

Governor Richardson wants swift action on his domestic partners bill urging the state senate not to tie it up in committees. Tuesday night, both senate opponents and some supporters of the bill talked about pulling the bill out of committee for a vote on the senate floor, as early as Thursday. Veteran lawmakers say if that happens, the bill won’t pass.

The senate defeated the bill last year by eight votes and vote counters don’t expect much change, if any. Senate Judiciary Chairman Cisco McSorley, a strong supporter of the bill, delayed Wednesday’s hearing until Friday. Insiders say a committee majority would vote to kill the bill, which led the governor’s push to introduce the bill for a full senate vote.

“It’s going to be a close vote,” predicts Gov. Richardson. “I remain positive and optimistic, but I just think it shouldn’t get bogged down in a committee…the full senate should get a chance to vote on it.”

Full Story from KOB.com
Click here for gay marriage resources in New Mexico.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in bill richardson, domestic partnership bill, governor, new mexico, nm | No Responses »

NM: Update On Domestic Partnership Bill

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

The outcome of Tuesday’s hearing for domestic partnerships at the State Capitol could mean more hurdles for supporters of the bill. The bill passed through Tuesday’s committees but also got assigned another hearing in front of the senate finance committee. A third committee assignment generally means a bill is on its way to die, especially during a 30 day session.

But that didn’t stop New Mexicans from attending Tuesday’s hearing; supporters and opponents packed the senate gallery.

For hours the senate committee heard testimony from both sides; those in favor defended their civil rights while opponents argued the bill was a gateway to gay marriage. Lawmakers also took turns dissecting parts of the 800 page bill that would offer most of the same rights of marriage to people in domestic partnerships.

Full Story from KOB.com
Click here for gay marriage resources in New Mexico.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in bill richardson, domestic partnership bill, governor, new mexico, nm, senate hearing | No Responses »

NM: Domestic Partnership Bill Update

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

The battle in the Legislature over a bill to establish domestic-partner rights pits social advocates and lobbyists who normally are allied on a variety of issues against each other. Sen. Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, introduced Senate Bill 183 on Tuesday. As has been the case with previous domestic-partnership bills, it is backed by Gov. Bill Richardson.

Also working for the bill various left-leaning activists, civic organizations and churches. But opposing it are New Mexico’s Roman Catholic bishops, who have stood alongside many of the domestic-partnership proponents in past Legislative fights to end the death penalty and cockfighting, increase minimum wage and to preserve funding for poverty programs.

The church’s opposition last year — after years of staying neutral on the issue — was credited by many on both sides for defeating a domestic-partnership last year by a decisive vote in the Senate.

Full Story from CNJ Online
Click here for gay marriage resources in New Mexico.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in catholic bishops, domestic partnership bill, new mexico, nm | No Responses »

NM: Domestic Partnership Bill May be Introduced in Senate Today

Monday, January 25th, 2010

Supporters of domestic partnership rights said their massive 825 page bill could be introduced Monday in Santa Fe during the regular session. Todd McElroy of Equality New Mexico , an organization supporting the bill, said it will give unmarried couples, gay or straight, the same rights and benefits as married couples.

“Those are the property rights, rights of inheritance, medical decisions making, and those sorts of things that are automatically bestowed with a marriage license,” McElroy said. Last year’s domestic partnership bill , which died in the Senate, was only 11 pages.

McElroy said this year’s bill has grown so much because it spells out the more than 300 rights given to married couples in the state.

Full Story from KRQE
Click here for gay marriage resources.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in domestic partnership bill, legislative session, new mexico, nm, senate | No Responses »

NM: Domestic Partnership Bill Likely to Fail Again This Session

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

Passing domestic partnerships in New Mexico was always considered an uphill climb leading into this year’s 30-day legislative session. With the state swimming in the red, many state lawmakers viewed fixing the budget as their first priority.

Then there was the size of this year’s domestic partnerships bill, a whopping 825 pages, making it a tome likely to go unread by all but the most conscientious, and studious, lawmakers. It enumerates every right conferred to same-sex couples while avoiding any mention of “marriage.”

Add those two factors to the small window – 30 days — state lawmakers have to reach a budget agreement to fix next year’s shortfall, variously estimated between $500 million to $900 million. And achieving success resembled a taxing, if not tortuous, path.

Full Story from the NM Independent

Click here for gay marriage resources in New Mexico.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in domestic partnership bill, legislative session, new mexico, nm | No Responses »

Bellingham, WA City Council Considering Support for Domestic Partner Law

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

The Bellingham City Council is looking to take a position on two state ballot measures, but first, council members will hear what you have to say about it.

…

The other measure, Referendum 71, asks voters whether to approve the “Everything but Marriage” law for domestic partnerships for gay and lesbian couples.

The council is considering opposing the Eyman initiative and supporting the “Everything but Marriage” proposal.  Public hearings on the council measures are scheduled for next Monday at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

Full Story from KGMI.com: http://kgmi.com/City-Council-Could-Take-Sides-On-Two-State-Measure/5379186

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington State.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in bellingham, domestic partnership bill, Gay Marriage, meeting, r71, referendum 71, wa, washington | No Responses »