All those phone calls to New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch you’ve been urged to make? He’s aware, but they won’t affect his decision.
“The phone lines are basically jammed,” the governor says. “People can’t even get through.” But: “I’m not going to be guided by the number of calls that come into my office. Ultimately, my decision will be guided by what I think will be best for the people of New Hampshire.”
Lynch, who supports civil unions but previously said “marriage” is for heteros, has five days to either veto the same-sex marriage bill, sign it, or “ignore” it, in which case it becomes law, usually 90 days after the legislative session adjourns, which is sometime in June. (Signature drives to put the matter in front of voters is expected no matter the turnout, meaning the law could be tabled till at least November.)
But now that both state legislative houses have decided marriage equality is the right thing for the state? “I certainly have my own personal beliefs, which I have articulated in the past,” Lynch said yesterday. “And I have a responsibility as governor to do what I think is best for the people of New Hampshire. I will continue to talk with the Legislature and with the people of New Hampshire about that bill.”
Zack
If New Hampshire doesn’t legalize gay marriage, the Governor will only be hurting himself and his constituents. Now that gays can freely marry in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine and super nearby Vermont, the thousands of New Hampshire couples who would like to marry will travel an hour in any direction and spend their money out-of-state. It’s simply a matter of practicality, and if Governor Lynch doesn’t sign this bill into law, his future within the Democratic party is at risk.
The Gay Numbers
Why does he need to talk to the legislature since they already voted? If he’s trying to fullfill his duties as governor of the state, why does his personal beliefs matter? Sounds like politician speak in a bad way.
NateinSLC
Actually, this bill will become law Jan 1, 2010, if the Governor doesn’t veto it. And unlike Maine, New Hampshire has no people’s veto, so it won’t be tabled.
The information you gave about how the bill will take effect is actually for the bill in Maine, not the one in NH.
Bruno
I don’t understand this talking to the legislature business. They already voted. Will talking to one legislator matter more than another?
I don’t know, I think this whole dragging his feet is bogus, he should’ve had a set opinion by now and effected it, but I guess at least that means he’s considering it carefully. I fear that he’ll do the wrong thing here all of a sudden.
Jason
There is no peoples veto in New Hampshire or way to have a voter initiative, New Hampshire can only change laws by voting in new representatives or through a constitutional convention. A constitutional convention is hard to bring about in New Hampshire, it is automatically placed on the ballot every 10 years or it takes a 3/5 majority if each house to ask whether the voters want a constitutional convention. The voters must then agree to the convention. If the voters agree then they must hold another election to choose delegates to head the convention. The delegates can then by 3/5 majority submit an amendment to the voters, at the next biennial November election. It then takes a 2/3 vote from the general public for that amendment to pass. The last time the question was placed before the voters was in 2002, so unless the legislature puts it on the ballot, it wont come up until 2012.
This is about money!
Fortunately the governor can veto this bill and if he keeps his promise he will.
Gays are free to marry and do what they please, but marriage is a symbolic or religious ceremony that the government should have nothing to do with.
This is not about sexual preference or tolerance, it’s about getting $$ from government using ‘special rights’ that tromp on individual rights.
A poll was just taken that shows that 64% of all those surveyed by the liberal UNH show that they think marriage is a man/woman thing.
Democrats are going to lose big in 2010 because of all the tax, spend and radical agenda they are pushing and all of their ridiculous overbearing overtaxing bills will be repealed.
Alec
@This is about money!: Keep telling yourself that. BTW, the last poll I saw showed 55% support in the UNH survey: http://overturn8.nclrights.org/2009/04/28/new-poll-shows-majority-of-new-hampshire-voters-continue-to-support-marriage-equality-for-lesbian-and-gay-couples/
Perhaps you have newer numbers?
Cameron
@This is about money!:
a) Are you even from NH?
b) Lynch never-not-once-ever promised anything about marriage.
c) Ever. He’s said he’s against it (as mentioned in the article), but never promised a veto.
d) The Democratic majority is as strong here as it’s ever been. Keep kicking, but real New Hampshirites care about equality! Go back to Massachusetts* and vote there :).
e) Money? How on earth is money involved. This has a minimal spending impact–the cost of printing/delivering new applications.
*I have nothing against Massachusetts, but you keep sending us your nutty conservatives. Please take them back, they’re hurting our state!
me
@Zack: How is Vermont any closer than ME and MA? I don’t get it.
Harry Meehan
Please let the people of New hampshire vote on this in 2010
Thom Simmons
I have heard the platitude over and over again, that “its all about money!”
I would like for ONE opponent of Marriage Equality, just ONCE, to offer a specific channel through which money will flow to me if the Governor signs the bill. Just one. Please. I can’t wait to hear about this new source of money.
schlukitz
@Harry Meehan:
“Please let the people of New hampshire vote on this in 2010”
Why? So we can be forced to live by your personal convictions? That’s tyranny.
Civil rights are not up to the majority. Civil rights is NOT a voting matter. Remember the Constitution?
Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness?
What part of that do folks who like to vote on minority groups civil rights not understand?