In a press conference yesterday, NJ State Senator Raymond Lesniak voiced his disagreement with governor Christie’s claim that Garden State residents should decide this issue of gay marriage, not “121 people in Trenton.”
“[Marriage equality] is a civil right, which is already guaranteed in our Constitution,” said Lesniak. “It’s up to the Legislature to guarantee these rights.”
Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg chimed in that Democratic legislators aren’t in the habit of putting everything to a public vote. “We’re not putting the governor’s appointments to the Supreme Court on the ballot.” This was in reference to Christie’s nomination of an openly gay justice to the state’s highest court.
N.J.s’ same-sex marriage bill is set to go to a congressional vote in early February and, if it passes, would then head to Christie’s desk—where he says he’ll veto it. The state senate can override but it would need a two-thirds majority, and a yea vote from a handful of Republicans.
How about we take this to the next level?
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It’ll take some lobbying (and maybe the lure of campaign cash) but other states, like New York and Washington, have had recent success swaying Republican votes in favor of marriage equality.
Photo: New Jersey State Senate
Cam
Those Jersey republicans need to look at how the money poured down on the few GOP Senators who voted for Marriage in New York State.
erasure25
Why is it ok to say that this one thing is ok to vote on. How about putting the early release of criminals on the ballot. How about putting it to a vote whether or not Gov. Christie can get reimbursed for travel expenses from taxpayers? How about voting on whether or not Gov. Christie can get a pay raise this year?
hyhybt
How many votes are they currently short of an override?
If that fails, how many would it take to propose a pro-gay-marriage amendment? It’s not the best way, but it may be the only way (short of crossed fingers for a favorable court decision) and I still think New Jersey voters would go for it.
the crustybastard
Say the people who are voting on civil rights.
Stefan
@hyhybt:
I’ve heard there are currently 24 to 27 votes in support in the Senate (27 needed to override a veto). I don’t know how many are in the House, but they need 54 to override a veto. The good news is that we’d have until January of 2014 to override the veto, in which time support will increase and legislators (and possibly even Christie) can be swayed.
bystander
Its a nice talking point to say we won’t put civil rights on the ballot until you realize its one less tool you’ll have to push forward things we need. Any the other side has no problem putting ideas on the ballot which set us back.
hyhybt
@Stefan: Thanks. So: close, but too far to count on. (Can a governor rescind a veto? Because otherwise it doesn’t seem like winning him over will do a lot of good. For this time around, at least; of course a future session can always try again.)
Riker
@hyhybt: He can’t rescind a veto, but if he changes his mind again the legislature can just pass it again so he can sign it. It would just be an added step.