As Clarknt67 wrote yesterday, two Democratic House delegates failed to show up for a critical House Judiciary Committee vote on the marriage equality bill. The Baltimore Sun is reporting that one of the two holdouts is now willing to support the legislation.
House Democrats were caught by surprise when Delegate Tiffany Alston, D-Prince George's County, and Delegate Jill Carter, D-Baltimore failed to show up for a critical vote on the marriage equality legislation. As Democratic members of the committee scrambled to find their missing memebers, their Republican counterparts"heckeled",
As bill supporters, including Delegate Luiz Simmons, circled the room and jetted in and out of the adjacent offices with an aide to Busch, Republicans heckled.
"Lou, look under the desk!" said Delegate Michael Smigiel, R-Cecil County, an opponent of gay marriage.
Del. Alston told The Baltimore Sun last night that she needed to think about the legislation before casting a vote. She also released this statement:
The same sex marriage debate is a very contentious and controversial issue that cuts to the core of people’s religious belief and people’s fundamental right to the pursuit of happiness. From the beginning of my campaign I have told the people that elected me that I personally supported the same sex couple’s right to marry. I believe all people should be treated equally regardless of their sexual orientation. I also told my constituents that I would listen to their concerns and take them into consideration. As such, I have been weighing the diverse and diametrically opposed feedback from my constituents and the citizens of the Great State of Maryland.
On Tuesday, March 1, 2011, as others members of the committee came forward to express their concerns and reservations, I too shared my interest in having a little more time to weigh my final decision. Marriage is not an institution that should not be entered into lightly nor is the decision to create a public policy shift surrounding marriage. There are several fundamental rights that shape this debate: a fundamental freedom to express yourself; a fundamental right to pursue happiness; and just as important if not more important a fundamental right to religious freedom. I believe that one person’s fundamental right(s) end where another person’s right(s) began. As a law maker it is my duty and privilege to serve the people and try to find balance and equity where inequity exists. This duty is compounded when your personal religious belief are contrary to what you believe to be fundamentally right for society.
Accordingly, I have resolved that if and when the chairman calls the vote I will be ready to vote based on what I believe to be right. In time the people of Maryland will also have the opportunity to vote on what they each believe is the correct direction for our State to take. In the interim I hope and pray that you will all respect my vote although you may not agree with it. Thank you all for the privilege to serve as your Delegate.
There is no word on what Del. Carter may do at this point. As Clarknt67 wrote yesterday, she was holding up the bill to leverage more money for education and votes on her own legislation on child custody. Without Del. Carter's vote, the legislation will still be one vote shy of the twelve needed to get out of the Judiciary Committee.
Below is the contact information for Del. Carter that Clarknt67 posted yesterday:
The Maryland House of Delegates website lists Jill Carter's contact information as:
(410) 841-3283
(301) 858-3283
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3283 (toll free)
Email Jill Carter