Posted on 09/07/2005 6:06:36 PM PDT by SmithL
SACRAMENTO - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced Wednesday that he will veto a bill seeking to allow gay marriages in California.
Schwarzenegger said the legislation, given final approval Tuesday by lawmakers, would conflict with the intent of voters when they approved Proposition 22. That measure was put on the ballot in 2000 to prevent California from recognizing same-sex marriages performed elsewhere.
"We cannot have a system where the people vote and the Legislature derails that vote," the governor's press secretary, Margita Thompson, said in a statement. "Out of respect for the will of the people, the governor will veto (the bill)."
Despite his promise to veto the bill, Schwarzenegger "believes gay couples are entitled to full protection under the law and should not be discriminated against based upon their relationship."
"He is proud that California provides the most rigorous protections in the nation for domestic partners," the statement said.
The Republican governor had indicated in previous statements that he would veto the bill, saying the debate over same-sex marriage should be decided by voters or the courts.
A state appeals court is weighing an appeal of a San Francisco judge's ruling striking down state laws barring gay marriages. Meanwhile, opponents of same-sex marriages are planning measures on the ballot next year that would place a ban on gay marriages in the state constitution.
The announcement dampened a celebratory mood among the bill's supporters, who only the night before cheered, hugged and kissed as the state Assembly narrowly sent the bill to the governor's desk.
Assemblyman Paul Koretz, D-West Hollywood, had called bans on gay marriage "the last frontier of bigotry and discrimination."
The bill passed the Legislature through the persistence of its sponsors, Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco. His original bill had failed in the Assembly by four votes in June, but he then amended it to another bill in the Senate, which voted to approve it last week.
It was that amended bill the Assembly passed by a bare majority on Tuesday. Four Democrats who did not vote on the bill in June provided the winning margin this week.
The vote made the California Legislature the first legislative body in the country to approve of same-sex marriage. Gay marriage licenses in Massachusetts and civil unions in Vermont were granted through court rulings.
for fun
Arnold soundboards
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/arnolds1.html
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/arnolds2.html
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/arnolds3.html
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/arnolds4.html
PING!!!!!
Not just a word my friend. Real marriages are recognized everywhere in the United States. And the more states that pass this plus DOMA ought to tell the federales what is what
What does one have to do with the other?????
saved a vote bump !
Oh lord, you need a time out for that!
Best news I've heard all week. Thanks for posting it. BUMP!
Here in Mass where a judge made the decree about gay marriage being O.K they have told us citizens come 2008 yes 2008 you might have it as a ballot question.
And Arnold you might have saved California from sinking into the pacific ocean.
Good for him.
He may have just saved California an earlier more severe super quake. . . for now.
It's about the people. Now - how do we get rid of the stupid CA legislature?
RINO!!! That stinkin dirty birdy... Quick someone else say something snide and negative! It's time to start eating our own....
If he didn't do this, his chances of re-election would have been ZERO. This is one GREAT reason why we should rejoice that Gay Davis was recalled.
Never a doubt in my mind.
Thanks for the ping! Good news.
Thank you for posting these bills.
I'm wondering, since he already vetoed the first on the list, why do you think he didn't just go ahead and veto the gay marriage bill instead of announcing his intention to do so?
remember the debate over Arnold during the election campaign?
looks like he might come through for you two.
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