It seems like months ago that I wrote to the Governor of California (Okay it was around September 7, 2005) to ask him to sign Assembly Bill 849 (Leno), the Marriage Equality Bill.
Today, November 15, 2005 I got a response to my e-mail.
As was already reported, Governor Schwarzenegger has decided to veto the bill. He must be pretty ashamed of himself since, he waited until he was in China to deliver the news.
His reasoning is outlined in the e-mail below the fold.
It lookslike Arnold supports gays and lesbians and wants them to have full equality in theory, but loves Republican money more.
Flippo
Thank you for emailing to express your position regarding Assembly Bill 849 (Leno). I understand the importance of this piece of legislation and the outcome it would have on our State and nation as a whole. After extensive consideration and thorough deliberation from proponents and opponents of this issue, I have decided to veto this bill.
I am proud California is a leader in recognizing and respecting domestic partnerships and the equal rights of domestic partners. I believe that lesbian and gay couples are entitled to full protection under the law and should not be discriminated against based upon their relationships. I support current domestic partnership rights and will continue to vigorously defend and enforce these rights and as such will not support a rollback of these rights.
California Family Code Section 308.5 was enacted by an initiative statute passed by the voters as Proposition 22 in 2000. Article II, section 10 of the California Constitution prohibits the Legislature from amending this initiative statute without a vote of the people. This bill does not provide for such a vote and I do not believe the Legislature can reverse an initiative approved by the people of California.
The ultimate issue regarding the constitutionality of section 308.5 and its prohibition of same-sex marriage is currently before the Court of Appeals in San Francisco and will likely be decided by the Supreme Court. If the ban of same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, this bill is not necessary. If the ban is constitutional, this bill is ineffective.
While I was not able to sign this bill in particular, I did sign legislation to extend the rights of domestic partners. Last legislative session I signed SB 1234 (Kuehl), the most comprehensive extension of domestic partner rights. This session I signed AB 1400 (Laird), which clarifies that marital status and sexual orientation are among the characteristics that are protected against discrimination by business establishments under the Unruh Civil Rights Act. I also signed AB 1586 (Koretz) which adds additional language to already existing anti-discrimination provision to clarify that State law prohibits insurance companies and health care service plans from discriminating on the basis of gender in the creation or maintenance of service contracts or the provision of benefits or coverage.
Thank you again for taking the time to voice your opinion. Taking the time to communicate your opinions and concern shows that California's people are engaged in issues that affect the well being and future of our State.
Sincerely,
Arnold Schwarzenegger
My response:
Governor Schwarzenegger this just seems to be a way for you to try and satisfy proponents of civil rights and your conservative base at the same time. By signing the bill you could have sent a message that you support full equality for all Californians. I'm sure you have signed other laws of tenuous legal standing.
I look forward to a day when all Californians are treated equally under the law without the need for tricky legal definitions. Marriage is a right that should be afforded to all Californians of legal age. It appears that you do not share that vision.
Peace.
It seems to me that the Governor could have made a gesture toward supporting civil rights and signed the bill.
His rhetoric suggests that he does not have an issue with homosexuality. Why did he veto the bill? I think it's the money and a need to support the far right, so that the keep pouring money into the Californian Republican Party coffers.
For a guy who just pissed away 80 million dollars on a special election that netted us zero change in statute, you'd think he'd be willing to gamble on extending full rights to Californian's citizens.