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NJ: Senate President Promises Override of Governor Christie’s Marriage Equality Veto

Monday, February 20th, 2012

New Jersey Marriage Equality Veto OverrideNew Jersey state Senate President Steve Sweeney promised to override Governor Chris Christie’s veto of a same-sex marriage bill by January 2014.

The Democrat said the issue does not belong on a referendum ballot, as advocated by the governor, because it’s a matter of civil rights.

“How can it not be when I have a certain right and I’m allowed to do something and you’re not?” Sweeney said on CNN Sunday. “That’s what we fought over and that’s what this country’s been founded on is fairness.”

Full Story from WNYC

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NJ: NOM Fundraising to “Sustain the Veto”

Sunday, February 19th, 2012

NOM LogoWe’ve got almost two full years to override the veto of NJ Gov. Chris Christie. And you can bet that NOM will be raising money on that fear the entire fucking time.

“Yesterday afternoon, just hours after the same-sex marriage bill reached his desk, Governor Christie made good on his promise to return the bill to the legislature “with a big red veto.”

“Democratic leaders in the Senate and Assembly–who made same-sex marriage their #1 priority this year–are now scrambling to come up with the 2/3 majority needed to override Governor Christie’s veto. And it’s up to us to make sure that they don’t succeed in pressuring, cajoling or arm-twisting enough politicians to override Governor Christie’s veto.”

Full Story from Joe.My.God

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NJ Governor Christie Offers Gays Consolation Prize: a Civil Unions Ombudsman

Saturday, February 18th, 2012

New Jersey Civil Unions OmbudsmanChris Christie went ahead and vetoed the marriage-equality bill that cleared the Legislature, but he tried to cover his prodigious posterior with a concession prize for Garden State gays: He would appoint an ombudsman to make sure civil unions were treated as equal to marriages, as is currently required by state law.

“Same-sex couples in a civil union deserve the very same rights and benefits enjoyed by married couples – as well as the strict enforcement of those rights and benefits,” Christie, a Republican, said in a statement. “Discrimination should not be tolerated and any complaint alleging a violation of a citizen’s right should be investigated and, if appropriate, remedied.”

Apparently Christie thinks appointing a point person on civil unions will make him look better, but its a foolish gambit: It won’t quell the anger felt by the LGBT community and its allies, and it will make him look soft on family values by the Republican base he’s obviously trying to court.

Full Story from Queerty

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It’s Official: Governor Christie Vetoes Marriage Equality

Friday, February 17th, 2012

New Jersey Marriage Equality VetoGov. Chris Christie has followed through on his promise to reject a bill allowing same-sex marriage in New Jersey by quickly vetoing the measure Friday. The veto came a day after the state Assembly passed the bill. The state Senate had passed it on Monday. Christie, a Republican who opposes same-sex marriage, had vowed “very swift action” once the bill reached his desk.

In returning the bill to the Legislature, Christie reaffirmed his view that voters should decide whether to change the definition of marriage in New Jersey. His veto also proposed creating an ombudsman to oversee compliance with the state’s civil union law, which same-sex couples have said is flawed.

“I am adhering to what I’ve said since this bill was first introduced – an issue of this magnitude and importance, which requires a constitutional amendment, should be left to the people of New Jersey to decide,” Christie said in a statement. “I continue to encourage the Legislature to trust the people of New Jersey and seek their input by allowing our citizens to vote on a question that represents a profoundly significant societal change. This is the only path to amend our State Constitution and the best way to resolve the issue of same-sex marriage in our state.”

Full Story from Edge Boston

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NJ: Assembly Marriage Equality Vote 12 Short of Veto-Proof Majority

Thursday, February 16th, 2012

New Jersey Marriage Equality VoteGay marriage proponents spoke about faith, tradition and history Thursday before they approved legislation that would allow homosexual wedlock and sent it to an inevitable confrontation with Gov. Chris Christie.

Even with the outcome certain in the state Assembly, members debated for more than two hours over the measure. Overwhelmingly, Democrats took to the floor to declare that the chamber stood at a crucial moment and that it was time to cross the cultural threshold.

“This is a vote history will want to know, at the end of the day, what side you were on, whether it’s women’s suffrage or ending segregation laws, history will remember those who had the moral courage to do what was right,” said the bill sponsor, Democratic Assemblyman Reed Gusciora of Mercer County.

Full Story from the Asbury Park Press

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NJ: Assembly Passes Marriage Equality Bill 42-33, Christie Promises Veto

Thursday, February 16th, 2012

New Jersey Marriage Equality VoteThe New Jersey Assembly on Thursday passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriages, setting the stage for an expected veto by Gov. Chris Christie.

The 42-33 vote sends the bill to Christie’s desk. The Republican governor who opposes gay marriage had promised “very swift action” if the bill passed both houses of the Legislature. The Senate approved the bill Monday.

Christie and most state Republican lawmakers want gay marriage put to a popular vote. Democrats say gay marriage is a civil right protected by the Constitution and not subject to referendum.

Full Story from Edge Boston

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NJ: Governor Christie Promises Swift Veto of Marriage Equality Bill

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012

New Jersey Marriage Equality VoteNew Jersey Governor Chris Christie assured reporters that the legislature would not have the votes to override a promised veto of the marriage equality bill which the Senate passed yesterday and the House is expected to pass on Thursday, Think Progress LGBT reports.

Said Christie: “They’re gonna be nowhere near the votes to override in either chamber. And so hopefully we can move on from this issue. If they pass it on Thursday and send it to my desk, believe me I will take very swift action on the bill.

Full Story from Towleroad.com

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NJ: Can Democratic Lawmakers Pull Together Veto-Proof Majority for Marriage Equality?

Sunday, February 5th, 2012

New Jersey Marriage Equality BillDemocratic leaders in the state Assembly are trying to rally enough support to pass a bill giving gay couples the right to marry but face an uphill climb getting enough votes to override Gov. Chris Christie’s promised veto of the legislation.

Proponents saw gains when two members of the Assembly Judiciary Committee last week said they had grown more comfortable with supporting the legislation, which would expand state sanction of marriages to same-sex couples but doesn’t require compliance from religious organizations and affiliated groups.

Democrats cleared the bill out of the committee Thursday with a 5-2 vote along party lines, as Assemblymen Peter Barnes III and Ralph Caputo said they had overcome their past reservations — at least in order to give the matter a full vote in the lower house.

Full Story from the Daily Record

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NH Governor: I Will Veto Marriage Equality Repeal

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

New Hampshire Marriage Equality Repeal VoteNew Hampshire Gov. John Lynch on Tuesday once again vowed to veto a bill that would repeal the state’s marriage equality law.

“New Hampshire has a long and proud tradition of fighting for the rights of all of our people and a tradition of leaving people alone to pursue of happiness,” he said in his last State of the State address, delivered in Concord. “As governor, I intend to uphold that centuries-old tradition. And I will stand firm against any legislation that would strip any of our citizens of their civil rights.”

Activists quickly welcomed the governor’s comments. “Governor Lynch has always been a defender of liberty and freedom,” said Lew Felstein, co-chair of Standing Up for New Hampshire Families. “We applaud and appreciate his renewed commitment to veto any bill that would treat some New Hampshire families different than other families. It’s not the New Hampshire way.”

Full Story from Edge Boston

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NJ: Governor Christie’s Comments on Marriage Equality

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

Governor Christie's Comments on New Jersey Marriage Equality BillText of statement delivered Tuesday by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on gay marriage: This issue that our state is exploring — whether or not to redefine hundreds of years of societal and religious traditions — should not be decided by 121 people in the State House in Trenton.

The fact is we’re discussing huge change and I believe we need to approach this not only in a thoughtful way, not in a rushed way, but also in a way where we’re able to get the most input that we can from the public.
So, if New Jersey is seriously looking to overturn hundreds of years of societal, legal and religious tradition, we need to give the issue the weight that it merits.

So, I think that this is not an issue that should rest solely in my hands, in the hands of the Senate President, or in the hands of the Speaker or the other 118 members of the Legislature.

Full Story from My San Antonio

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