NJ: Legislature to introduce bill legalizing gay marriage

[kpete]

TRENTON — In a dramatic move, Democratic leaders plan to announce at a news conference Monday that a bill legalizing gay marriage will be the first measure introduced in the new session of the Senate and the Assembly, sources with knowledge of their intentions said last night.

A unified Democratic leadership represents the best chance supporters will have to see a bill legalizing gay marriage move through both houses, according to three sources who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly about the plan.

State Sen. President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester), who is now said to be a pivotal supporter of the legislation, abstained the last time a similar bill was voted down by the Legislature in 2010 — a decision he later said he regretted more than any other in his career. A spokesman for Sweeney did not respond to questions about the plan last night.

Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex) will also be at the news conference, ensuring that the proposal has the support of the state’s two most powerful Democratic lawmakers.

http://mobile.nj.com/advnj/pm_106636/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=0ChQd4mS

[RKP5637]

1. Excellent!!!

[fasttense]

21. Except that fat boy Chris will most likely refuse to sign it into law. n/t

[nyy1998]

3. He already repealed DADT and there's no way he could get a same-sex law passed with Republican House

And McConnell playing Kingmaker in the Senate. If you want more gay rights, win back the House and increase our majority in the Senate!

[Solly Mack]

4. k/r

[Rowdyboy]

5. It would have been great 2 years ago when Gov Corzine could have signed it...Today its meaningless

because Gov Christie will veto it. As it stands today its just cheap posturing, basically positioning for cowardly politicians. Sure they pass it now when its sure to be vetoed. Big shit.

[MidwestTransplant]

7. Christie welcomes the opportunity to veto it.

[customerserviceguy]

9. If he's got any hope of running either as VP this year

or president in 2016, he'd love to have that veto as a credential with the fundies.

[JackBeck]

17. There is no way he will be Romney's VP.

Two Northeast Governor's from liberal leaning states? I don't think so, lol.

[customerserviceguy]

19. You make a point

But I do think Willard likes the street smarts that Christie brings to the campaign.

In the end, you're right, they are both Northeastern governors. However, if Nikki Haley can deliver South Carolina to Mittens, he may just pick her. It could pick up some of the PUMA vote, it could solidify the tea party around Romney, and it would have half a chance of convincing the fundies to come along. There is a shot that some minorities might like the chance to vote for an Indian-American for the VP slot.

Other than her, who do you think that he might pick, presuming he gets that far? I cannot see him selecting any of the other presidential candidates unless it's a convention-eve deal, there's been too much animosity between all of them. I can see him cutting a deal with one of the lesser conservatives who managed to bring along a mathematically significant amount of delegates to Tampa.

[MNBrewer]

11. Do you really think that standing FOR same sex marriage is so common now

that you can call it cowardly?

I wish we had a few more "cowardly" politicians like those in NJ.

[JustAnotherGen]

13. Amen

It would ultimately be a boon financially for the state (the wedding reception/vendor overflow from NYC has already been a gold mine).. . But Christie will veto it.

In the meantime - our tolls double on the Parkway - and that's what will truly resonate with voters here next election.

[JackBeck]

18. Which district are you in?

If this is an issue that you feel passionate about, and you have legislators on the fence or could help us with a veto override, we can arrange a lobby visit.

[JustAnotherGen]

20. You'd be wasting your time

It's NJ 7th - and I'm more focused on Equal Pay For Women. That's my hit button social issue right now.

[KamaAina]

15. Ah yes, Christie, that staunch defender of opposite-sex relations

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002142505

On Sunday, Jan. 8., New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was speaking at a Romney for President rally in New Hampshire when he was interrupted by some female hecklers. It’s difficult to make out exactly what Christie’s critics were yelling, but it’s something to do with jobs going down. Ever the class act, Christie’s response: “You know, something may be going down tonight, but it ain’t going to be jobs, sweetheart.”

You stay classy, Chris.

[JackBeck]

16. I have to respectfully disagree that introducing this bill tomorrow is meaningless.

It continues to move the conversation forward. There is no way of knowing what the final outcome will be unless you try.

A variety of things that could happen with this legislation. The Governor can do nothing and the bill becomes law in 45 days, which gives him the opportunity to silence both sides on this issue by arguing he never signed the bill into law. We're not expecting this to happen, but it still remains a possibility. If Christie runs for POTUS in 4 years, our country will be even MORE supportive of marriage equality than it already is.

The new marriage equality legislation also has bipartisan support in both chambers of the NJ legislature. In the event the Governor vetoes the bill, we have been lining up the votes to override. There are already some Republicans on record with their intention to vote to override Christie's veto. We've also been working with Christie to get him to give the Republicans the permission to 'vote their conscience' like former Governor Kean did with the issue of school prayer.

[rocktivity]

6. Cue the Vonage theme!

rocktivity

[obamanut2012]

10. Christie will veto it

[MNBrewer]

12. Let him veto it

Does no harm to pass it out of the legislature every year until Christie is gone and a Democrat replaces him. Let both parties go on record.

[obamanut2012]

14. Oh, I completely agree with you

He will take much public delight in vetoing it.