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Vermont governor warns he will veto same-sex marriage bill

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] Vermont Governor Jim Douglas (R) said Wednesday that he would veto a bill approved earlier this week by the Vermont State Senate that authorizes same-sex marriages in the state. In a statement made to reporters, Douglas said that he announced his position early because he wanted to allow the legislature to focus on more crucial issues. Douglas' opposition to the bill is based on his belief that marriage is defined as a union between a man and a woman, and that Vermont civil union laws provide enough rights and benefits for same-sex couples:Vermont's civil union law has extended the same state rights, responsibilities and benefits of marriage to same-sex couples. I believe our civil union law serves Vermont well and I would support congressional action to extend those benefits at the federal level to states that recognize same-sex unions. But like President Obama and other leaders on both sides of the aisle, I believe that marriage should remain between a man and woman.Despite his disapproval of the proposed law, Douglas said that he believes the legislature has enough votes to override his veto. The bill is expected to be presented before the Vermont House of Representatives next week. On Monday, the Vermont State Senate approved, by a vote of 26-4, the bill, entitled "An Act to Protect Religious Freedom and Promote Equality in Civil Marriage." If the proposed legislation passes, Vermont would join Massachusetts and Connecticut in extending marriage rights to same-sex couples. Previously, Vermont became the first state to offer civil unions to same-sex couples when then-Governor Howard Dean signed H.B.847 into law in April 2000.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on March 26, 2009 (boomark / email).