Ehrlich Vetoes Bill Extending Rights to Gay Couples

The Washington Post ^ | May 21, 2005 | John Wagner

[neverdem]

Increase in Minimum Wage Among 24 Measures Rejected

Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. vetoed a bill yesterday that would have granted rights to gay partners who register with the state, concluding after weeks of intense deliberations that the legislation threatened "the sanctity of traditional marriage."

The emotionally charged bill was among 24 that Ehrlich (R) rejected yesterday afternoon, including legislation to raise the state's minimum wage by $1, allow early voting in elections and heighten oversight of the state's troubled juvenile justice system. Another measure sought by gay rights activists that would have extended a property transfer tax exemption to domestic partners was also scuttled.

Ehrlich's decision to side, almost without exception, with business interests and social conservatives surprised some analysts, who thought he might try to burnish his credentials as a moderate by allowing some of the session's more controversial bills to become law.

Most of the legislation vetoed yesterday had been strongly opposed by Republican lawmakers. But Ehrlich's appeal to swing voters was key to his 2002 election in a state where registered Democrats still hold a nearly 2-to-1 advantage.

"I think it's just breathtaking that he's casting his lot with the right wing of his party," said Tom Hucker, executive director of Progressive Maryland, an advocacy group that pushed for the minimum wage bill as well as legislation Ehrlich vetoed Thursday that would have effectively required Wal-Mart to spend more on employee health benefits. "He ran for governor as the moderate, affable son of an automobile dealer who would stick up for working-class families."

Ehrlich said in a statement that his office's review of the bills had been "both thoughtful and deliberative" and that he was "confident that decisions made today are in the best interest of good policy, sound government and fiscal responsibility for Maryland's..."

[Betaille]

"Ehrlich's decision to side, almost without exception, with business interests"

How is refusing to overregulate the state's economy "siding with business interests"?

[Betaille]

"He ran for governor as the moderate, affable son of an automobile dealer who would stick up for working-class families."

He's refusing to destroy jobs in the state. He IS sticking up for working families.

[sinanju]

That liberal-in-moderate's-clothing Chris Core was bewailing this on his radio show yesterday evening. I wish the new media would discourse on this at greater length but I gather this was a stealth attempt to sneak "domestic partnership" through the back door. In which case, good on Mr. Erlich. I would like to know more details but it sure seems all the usual suspects are squealing like Ned Beatty.

Remember that it is domestic partnerships, ie. "marriage lite" not "gay marriage" that is the principal threat here. Similar arrangements have been demonstrated to be the death knell of marriage in Scandinavia. My regard for Gov. Erlich and hope for his future career have just upped a notch.

[Libertarian444]

"I think it's just breathtaking that he's casting his lot with the right wing of his party," said Tom Hucker, executive director of Progressive Maryland

Of course, the WaPo begins with a quote from a far left (and unidentified as such) advocacy group. Just another attempt by the media to justify the defining of the extreme left of the political spectrum as "moderate."

[upchuck]

Once in a great while the Good Guys win one.

Mr. Frist, here's a mentor with stones for you.

[lilylangtree]

Didn't think he would have the intestines. Salute to MD's governor.

[neverdem]

Of course, the WaPo begins with a quote from a far left (and unidentified as such) advocacy group.

For most folks with an ear for politics, Progressive Maryland is enough of a clue. Those folks who don't understand what progressive means these days in a political context are probably clueless, and don't bother to vote either.

[knarf]

"Ehrlich's decision to side, almost without exception, with " business interests and social conservatives a core American value and world view that does not include queers and special interest groups "surprised some analysts, who thought he might try to burnish his credentials as a moderate by allowing some of the session's more controversial bills to become law."

"Most of the legislation vetoed yesterday had been strongly opposed by Republican lawmakers. But Ehrlich's appeal to swing voters was key to his 2002 election in a state where registered Democrats still hold a nearly 2-to-1 advantage."

Uhhhh maybe the 'swing' to the 'voters was towards cobnservative rather than socialist. Ya think? Maybe? Hmmmm?

"I think it's just breathtaking ...., said Tom Hucker, executive director of Progressive Maryland, an advocacy group that pushed for the minimum wage bill as well as legislation Ehrlich vetoed Thursday that would have effectively required Wal-Mart to spend more on employee health benefits."

Kinda' knocks the wind outa'yer sails, don't it TomBoy?
Better re-think who and what you are, y'know?

[taxesareforever]

Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. vetoed a bill yesterday that would have granted rights to gay partners

I can't say "YAY" loud enough.

[newsgatherer]

How I wish he would move to Maine:

How far will the Baldacci/Hastings consortium go to appease the homosexuals?
A special Christian-News-In-Maine.com report.

This 13 year old girl could be your daughter.
look at the expression on the womans face as she leers as this child. How far will John Baldacci and David Hastings go to appease the homosexuals with your children in the public school system?

SHOCKING ! TRANSGENDERISM FOR THIRTEEN YEAR OLDS
Rev. Dallas Henry Hosanna Church, Oxford, Maine

More from the so called 'Gay' Day at the Capitol

Homosexual activists are educating our kids and grandkids right here in Maine. They are giving them information about "transgenderism." They are offering to form confidential relationships with school age children through an outreach they call "Outright."

You can make a difference today by letting Augusta area friends know that the Hodgkins Middle School shepherded a group of more than thirty school children through a display promoting homosexuality, lesbianism and transgenderism on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 at the Maine State House.

Drag queens greeted the children. The children took material and spoke with the men who were wearing dresses under the nervous eye of their teachers. We overheard one teacher nervously moving the children along when she realized what was going on in the Maine State House Hall of Flags. We suspect that the school children were there on a field trip unrelated to the display of homosexual propaganda. The children were, nevertheless, exposed to crossdressers [picture provided] and advertisements for "The Transgender Fund." This group's mission is to "financially support qualified initiatives designed to advance the interests of the transgender community." It is headquartered in Freeport, Maine.

A homosexual youth group called "Central Maine Outright" made fliers available to the thirteen year olds...

[goldstategop]

For Maryland, Bob Ehrlich's compiled a pretty decent record. He's no quavering RINO. No wonder the media and the Rats are surprised.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[NutCrackerBoy]

Is the sticking point for conservatives agreeing with Ehrlich that the requirement for registering as "life partners" elevates the status of homosexual coupling? I have been operating under assumption that other kinds of partners just as much could benefit from easier access to certain next-of-kin arrangements. I am in favor of gay couples getting these (non-financial) benefits, but without a need for the state to formalize a notion of a gay couple.

[No Dems 2004]

Congrats to Governor Ehrlich for showing some spine. Now, voters of Maryland, show some spine and re-elect him!!