Elections have consequences.
And here in NJ, one of the consequences is marriage equality, something that outgoing Governor Jon Corzine said earlier in the year would be passed and signed – even if he loses. Governor-elect (and it pains me to say that) Chris Christie has repeatedly promised to veto any marriage equality bill and would seek a constitutional amendment to ban it if passed before he takes office.
The difference between NJ and Maine or California is that if a marriage equality bill passes during the lame-duck Legislative session before Christie takes office, it can not be overruled by referendum,
There are just over 2 months before Corzine leaves office, and if a marriage equality bill doesn’t pass now, we will have to wait at least four years, if not longer to have equal rights codified in New Jersey. And it isn’t like this should be a long shot by any stretch. A Quinnipiac poll from earlier this year found that a marriage equality bill was favored by a 49-44 spread.
Both sides (those for equal rights and those against equal rights) have this in the foreground. Anti-equal rights groups are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars already and organizations such as Garden State Equality released ads non Blue Jersey and elsewhere, and a number of other progressive organizations are getting involved. And there is support in the Legislature – although it depends on how much NJ Legislators want to stand up for their beliefs. From a recent column(emphasis mine):
If you took a secret ballot on marriage equality, it would likely pass the Assembly and Senate with a few votes to spare. Near majorities have expressed support already. And several more say privately they are waiting for a safe moment like cliff divers watching the waves in Acapulco.
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"I’d say the chances are 50-50 at this stage," said Sen. Loretta Weinberg, the sponsor of a marriage equality bill.
Senate President Richard Codey, a supporter of the bill, is counting votes, and said he will need three or four Republicans to get a majority. Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts said he faces the same close odds in the lower house.
"I’m completely supportive of it," Roberts said.
Unfortunately, it looks like even this window is closing. Now, word is that State Senate Judiciary Chairman Paul Sarlo may not even bring the bill up for a vote in his own committee.
There is absolutely no reason to not pass a marriage equality bill now – even in the next 2 months. It was promised to the voters, and they support it. There is no downside to bringing up and voting for this bill now – especially in light of the previous support given, and the fact that another 4+ years will go by before this will even be a thought again.
Discrimination is ugly, at best. There is an opportunity to end that here in New Jersey – and without the chance for it to be "put on the ballot" so that a propaganda campaign by organizations of intolerance (some even out of state) with deep pockets can unduly influence. On the heels of the referendum in Maine – here is a tremendous opportunity to pressure NJ Legislators to do the right thing – to do what they promised to do.
It will not only be an opportunity lost, but a betrayal of the base that supported many of these Legislators in the first place.