Marriage equality is really heating up in Hawaii. On Wednesday, Gov. Neil Abercrombie used a rally for marriage equality to release his version of a marriage measure for a potential special session of the legislation. Under Abercrombie’s version, the state would begin issuing marriage licenses on Oct. 3, with ceremonies beginning on Nov. 1.
Abercrombie is more than willing to call a special session of the legislature to pass a marriage equality bill. The question is whether there are the votes for passage. “I’m simply not going to consider a special session if it becomes something that gets dragged out and a recycling of previous history,” Abercrombie said. “The bill’s there, we’re going to make ourselves available.”
Although Democrats control the majority in both the House and the Senate in the state legislature, they seem unable to garner the two-thirds majority needed in the House to get the bill to Abercrombie’s desk. Abercrombie’s version of the bill extends exemptions for churches and clergy in order to placate concerns among some holdouts.
Meanwhile, the state Democratic Party has unanimously passed a resolution calling for a special session of the legislature. The only question is whether the combined pressure of the party and the governor is sufficient to move enough votes to make a special session worthwhile.
hyhybt
Why do they need 2/3? All they have to do is pass a law, not repeal an amendment.
moth dust
Where was Abercrombie back in the 90s when we were protesting in the streets and losing to the religious right as well as backward Dems? NOWHERE! That’s where he was. NOWHERE! He was on the wrong side of history then, and he’s only trying to make up for lost time now. There was only ONE SINGLE SIGNIFICANT POLITICIAN IN HAWAII AT THE TIME IT MATTERED MOST. THAT WAS MAZIE HIRONO! SHE WAS THE ONLY POLITICIAN WHO STOOD UP FOR US WHEN IT WAS UNPOPULAR TO DO SO. THE ONLY ONE!!! I should know. I was there. I was and still am involved!