Last week, both the Vermont House and Senate approved the gay marriage bill, and as expected it was vetoed by Gov. Jim Douglas yesterday. The senate voted to override it yesterday, and today (just a few minutes ago,) the House also voted to override the veto. It was a little surprising, since the initial vote for the bill passed, but was a few votes short of what they needed to override the veto.
I’m not gay, but I have many friends and family who are, and I’m glad that I can say I live in a state where they are recognized as equal, and not lesser, citizens.
FTR, Vermont is now the third state that has gay marriage, but the only one that went about it through legislative action rather than a ruling from the supreme court (although the civil unions that were created in 1999-2000 were done so as a result of a court ruling.)
Wow! Two states this week! I’m less surprised to see Vermont do it than Iowa, but overriding a veto is special in its own right, and I’m glad to see that the legislators in Vermont have that much confidence in themselves and in their constituents.
I suspect the Progressives and Dems will split the vote again. You’d think they’d try and cut a deal where they alternate years contesting elections for Governor.
Well, CA’s has been taken back, and Iowa doesn’t have it yet the supreme court just said that they have to have it soon, but AKAIK no laws or bills have actually been drafted up yet.
As I understand, they don’t need a “gay marriage law” – they have a perfectly good marriage law now that simply no longer has a functional clause in it limiting it to one man/one woman marriages.
And I was told last night by an Iowan of my acquaintance that the Attorney General is going around the state equipping clerks, judges, etc., with what they need to license and solemnize such marriages. That’s progress!
Vermont is a wonderful, wonderful place. The most gun-friendly state in the nation, and socially progressive. (Hmmm…I wonder why so many people think those are mutually exclusive?) I often vacationed in Maine with my family when I was a kid and we would sometimes visit Vermont as well, staying in Bennington. It was a beautiful place; I’d love to live there someday.
Because a legislative act is authored by representatives of the people, and creates new, specific statute. A court decision is an often dubious interpretation of existing statute by some dude in a dress. (And how do you think a dude in a dress is going to decide on this issue?! )
Vermonters are Vermonters - I’ve got family all over but mostly in Barre, I was practically raised up there. There is an oldness to the land and the people have an air of freedom seldom felt down country. I will most likely retire up there, in the St.Johnsbury area…northeast kingdom they call it up there. Can’t wait, 30 more years! Have to be happy with summers until then!
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