Tag: Chris Christie

Gov. Chris Christie has followed through on his promise to reject a bill allowing same-sex marriage in New Jersey by quickly vetoing the measure Friday and renewing his call for a ballot question to decide the issue.

The veto came a day after the state Assembly passed the bill. The state Senate had passed it on Monday. Christie, a Republican who opposes same-sex marriage, had vowed “very swift action” once the measure reached his desk.

In returning the bill to the Legislature, Christie reaffirmed his view that voters should decide whether to change the definition of marriage in New Jersey. His veto also proposed creating an ombudsman to oversee compliance with the state’s civil union law, which same-sex couples have said is flawed and promotes discrimination.

“I am adhering to what I’ve said since this bill was first introduced — an issue of this magnitude and importance, which requires a constitutional amendment, should be left to the people of New Jersey to decide,” Christie said in a statement.

Senate President Steve Sweeney was blunt in his criticism of the governor.

“He had a chance to do the right thing, and failed miserably,” Sweeney said.

Steven Goldstein, chairman of the state’s largest gay rights group, Garden State Equality, said Christie’s national political ambitions guided his action.

“He won’t veto the bill because he’s anti-gay,” Goldstein said in a statement issued before the veto was issued Friday. “He’ll veto the bill because the 2016 South Carolina presidential primary electorate is anti-gay.”

Goldstein, who said he has a cordial relationship with the governor, promised to continue fighting him vigorously on the issue. “And we will win, so help me God,” he said.

New Jersey lawmakers have passed a bill that would provide same-sex couples the right to wed – a move put forth in defiance of the state’s Republican governor, who’s vowed to veto the measure and has instead called for a referendum to settle the issue.

State assembly members on Thursday voted 42-33, with two members abstaining, in favor of the “Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption Act.” The Senate approved the measure on Monday by a 24 to 16 count.

But Gov. Chris Christie has said the issue “should not be decided by 121 people in the statehouse in Trenton.”

The governor is expected to “act swiftly” to knock it down when the bill reaches his desk, said Michael Drewniak, a spokesman for Christie.

Recent polling, meanwhile, suggests that New Jersey voters are in favor of legalizing such unions.

Fifty-two percent of state voters approve the measure, according to a recent Quinnipiac University poll.

Reactions from pro-LGBT organizations:

Freedom To Marry:
“Sadly, Governor Chris Christie has planted his feet on the wrong side of history, and the wrong side of the majority for marriage in New Jersey and nationwide. If the governor sticks with his threat of a veto, Freedom to Marry will work throughout the entire remainder of the legislative session, supporting local families, leaders, and advocates as they make the case and win the extra handful of votes needed to override the veto and do right by these families.”

Human Rights Campaign:
“Today, the New Jersey State Legislature sent a powerful message that all its citizens should be treated equally under the law, and that all families deserve the same protections,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “Governor Christie may veto this legislation, but he is out of step with the majority of voters on this issue. We will not give up until marriage equality becomes a reality in New Jersey. HRC has been proud to partner with Garden State Equality (GSE) in achieving this historic legislative victory.”

More at CNN.com

As it becomes clear that New Jersey’s marriage equality legislation is practically guaranteed to pass both of the state’s lawmaking chambers, the once adamantly-opposed Gov. Chris Christie is now speaking in more ambiguous terms.

Under a headline entitled “Gov. Christie Mum on Gay Marriage Bill,” the Star Ledger reports statements the governor gave on Friday. “They have a right to set their agenda, I’ll set mine, we’ll see who gets there first,” Gov. Christie said while speaking in Camden . “When forced to make a decision, if forced to make a decision on it, I’ll make a decision.”

In the past Christie has been more aggressive about promising to veto any marriage legislation that lands on his desk. However, most LGBT groups in the state are waiting with bated breath, worried it will be between two and six years (dependent upon another Christie term) before same-sex couples are considered equal in the Garden State.

The bill’s backers claim to have the votes to pass it in both chambers. Yesterday the Star-Ledger editorialized their expectation that Christie will block it:

“Let’s face it: This is not likely to succeed while Christie remains in office. He will veto it, as promised, and obedient Republicans in the Legislature will fall in line behind him, as always. That’s the political lay of the land for the next two years, at least. If Christie wins re-election, this stalemate could drag on for six years. To most New Jersey citizens, that is simply not acceptable.”
(source)