Rod Roberts, the Republican former state assemblyman running for governor of Iowa, has this fun promise if he’s elected: He won’t sign off on any state budget, no matter how much he likes it, unless lawmakers also permit voters to decide whether to ban gay marriage in the state constitution.
The announcement comes on the first anniversary of the Iowa Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage ruling that overturned state law. But what Roberts is demanding is actually a lengthy and complex initiative; the earliest voters would get a chance to have a say is 2014.
Meanwhile, Gov. Chet Culver, the Democrat who personally believes marriage is between one man and one woman, voiced support this week for the Supreme Court decision, and Democratic state lawmakers blocking an attempt to do exactly what Roberts wants.
Hector Berrio
Haha, so Rod is being a dick?
Hyhybt
Does Iowa have a provision for overriding a veto or otherwise passing bills without the governor’s signature?
Anyway, a promise like that sounds like a sure way NOT to get elected in a state where even most anti-marriage folks say it’s a low priority.
Dayle
Hopefully citizens of Iowa will realize passing a budget is hard enough without stupid stunts like this.
Steve
Government isn’t really about grandstand plays. Government is about services. Plowing snow, paving roads and filling potholes, sending a cop or a fire truck when someone dials 911, staffing the schools and colleges, issuing drivers licenses…
It’s mostly mundane stuff. But every bit of it requires budget, and every bit of it is important to someone. If it doesn’t get done, they get angry at the politician who didn’t get it done.
I am sure the citizens of Iowa will realize that if there is no budget, a lot of roads will not get plowed next winter.
Robert, NYC
HYHYBT No. 2…Unfortunately there is no overriding a veto in Iowa. If this asshole is elected, it will go the way of Maine and California.
I knew immediately afer health insurance reform was passed that the GOP would swing back to its traditional wedge issues such as marriage equality and race baiting. Its going to damage their party even more, no matter if they gain one or two seats in November. A leopard never changes its spots. To think that our fellow gay brothers and sisters in the Log Cabin organization continuously giving blind support to the party of NO, HATE and INEQUALITY. That will NEVER change sadly.
Gorbeh
I like how many of the more moderate conservatives said that gay marriage is a waste of time given budget crises, etc and the a conservative is the one wasting time trying to oppose it and may even make the budget crisis worse by not signing one.
Robert, NYC
No. 6 Gorbeh, if you mean that allowing gay marriages in Iowa would add to the budget crises in terms of dollars and benefits via employers, then by the same argument, I suppose Iowa would have to suspend any more straight marriages from occurring in the interests of conserving money. These conservatives can’t have it both ways. This is nothing more than a canard to avoid supporting marriage equality.
biguy
fuck this guy he is probably a glory hole cum slut
biguy
nothing against glory hole cum sluts
terrwill
Please keep the hate going repugnuganticans. Last election showed that voters realize that voting on social issues leads to not a whole lot of effective leaders. Its the same tired old dogma, some scumbag with a closet full of skeletons of his own decides his way to victory is to pull that tired old hating on the Gays message………