As expected, New Jersey Republican Governor Chris Christie has vetoed the marriage equality bill passed by both houses of the legislature, reports the Star-Ledger.
And this is rich: Christie has suggested appointing an ombudsman to "strengthen" New Jersey’s civil union law.
"I have been just as adamant that 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 said in a prepared statement. "Discrimination should not be tolerated and any complaint alleging a violation of a citizen’s right should be investigated and, if appropriate, remedied."
Christie continued push his suggestion of the gay marriage issue to a referendum in November to allow New Jersey voters to decide. Republicans fell in line with his recommendation; not a single Republican present on Thursday voted for the gay marriage bill.
The Assembly passed the Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption Act by a 42-33 vote on Thursday. The Senate passed the measure by a 24-16 vote on Monday.
A two-thirds vote in each chamber is needed to override the veto. The override would require at least 13 more votes in the Assembly. Three more votes are required in the Senate. Legislators can attempt a veto override as many times as necessary until January 2014.
Six states currently mandate marriage equality—Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York—as does the District of Columbia. On Monday, Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire signed legislation to make Washington the seventh state. That legislation is expected is to head to the ballot in a voter referendum.
He's a bigot. Civil Rights should not be put to a poplar vote. Then again, Federal Government needs to step up.
Posted by: bart | 17 February 2012 at 18:24
This cretin, jackass bigot could truly be the reason I leave this state!!!
This is ridiculous!
REFERENDUM? So bigots get to vote for whether others have full rights? And isn't CIVIL UNION a "special right" as opposed to the simple and clear path of marriage, which is two people in a committed relationship with rights and responsibilities? They acted like WE were the ones who wanted something special but before they would get into a real debate about MARRIAGE, they created something SEPARATE BUT NOT EQUAL.
So when do I get to pay the GAY TAX RATE since I am not a FULL CITIZEN OF THIS COUNTRY OR STATE?!
This is BS to the highest order!
Posted by: TheRevKev | 17 February 2012 at 22:40
Did anyone really expect a Republican governor who is considered a leading candidate for the 2012 VP nomination and a favorite for 2016 GOP presidential nomination to sign this bill?
Posted by: TransGriot | 18 February 2012 at 08:19
Like most politicians this self-serving hypocrite and liar is a moral and ethical coward who cares only about getting elected and who knows that the majority of his voters are straight and to some degree homophobic people who deep down believe they are better than and superior to gay people. For the Bible tells me so.
Posted by: Jerry | 18 February 2012 at 08:53
@ Transgriot: Monica, the post begins with "As expected...." **No one** here at R20 expected Christie to sign the bill. **No one** here said or implied that. Ever. Christie has been quite vocal about vetoing the bill, and everywhere here at this blog knows Christie's anti-gay history.
IIRC, R20 was the only spot not drinking Christie's kol-aid when he nominated that Black gay man to the supreme court.
You might want to take that posturing to the white gay blogs. Don't try to lecture us, hun.
PS:
Posted by: Dalton | 18 February 2012 at 14:02
What Rev Kev said. Christie is pompous and a bigot. I'm a New Jersey resident and want to pay the "gay tax rate". We obviously have fewer rights so we should be taxed at a lower rate. Right?
Posted by: Faison | 18 February 2012 at 19:29