As promised, Governor George Wallace Jim Douglas vetoed legislation that would have extended equal rights to blacks gays, lesbians, bisexuals and the transgendered.
The homobigot's statement after the fold.
Governor Douglas' statement reads:
Pursuant to Chapter II, Section 11 of the Vermont Constitution, I am returning S.115, An Act Relating to Civil Marriage, without my signature because of my objections described herein. I do so recognizing that this is an issue that is intensely personal, with strongly held beliefs and convictions on both sides. But I am charged by our Constitution to act on this legislation and by its return, I have fulfilled that responsibility.
The question of same sex marriage is an issue that does not break cleanly as Republican or Democrat, rural or urban, religious or atheist. The decision to support or oppose is informed by an amalgam of experience, conviction and faith. These beliefs are deeply held, passionately expressed and, for many legislators, infinitely more complex than the ultimate 'yea' or 'nay' required to fulfill the duty of their office.
On such an intensely personal issue as this, all members must do as their individual conscience dictates, with the best interest of their districts in mind. It is for those reasons that I have not sought to lobby members of my own party, or asked opponents to sustain my veto.
This legislation does not address the inequalities espoused by proponents. Regardless of whether the term marriage is applied, federal benefits will still be denied to same sex couples in Vermont. And states that do not recognize same sex marriage or civil unions will also deny state rights and responsibilities to same sex couples in Vermont. This bill will not change that fact.
Vermont's civil union law has afforded the same state rights, responsibilities and benefits of marriage to same sex couples. Our civil union law serves Vermont well and I would support congressional action to extend those benefits at the federal level to states that recognize same sex unions. But I believe that marriage should remain between a man and a woman.
The State Senate has scheduled a vote to override the Governor's veto for 9 AM EDT tomorrow. The Senate is likely to achieve the 2/3 majority needed to send the override attempt to the House, where the vote is expected to be close. The Senate previously passed the bill by a 26-4 margin with 22 of 23 Democrats voting for the bill and 4 of the 7 Republican also supporting the legislation. The bill was passed by a 95-52 vote in the House last week. With all members present and voting, 100 votes are need to override the veto in the House.
Douglas is the second governor to veto a marriage equality bill presented to him. The first was California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has twice vetoed such bills from the California Assembly.
Vermont created civil unions in 2000 in response to the 1999 Vermont Supreme Court case Baker v State that required the state grant same sex couples all the rights, benefits and responsibilities of marriage, though permitted them to do so by a mean other than marriage. That law was signed by former Governor and former DNC Chair Dr. Howard Dean.
Several members of the Vermont House who voted no on the bill last week have indicated that they would vote to override the Governor's veto on principle stating they could not in good conscience vote for the bill itself, but were willing to vote to allow the will of the majority to become law over the veto. However, other members who voted for the bill may switch and vote against the override attempt using the governor for cover.
In response to the veto, the Human Rights Campaign, a GLBT lobbying organization, issued the following statement:
The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, came out in strong opposition to today’s veto by Governor Douglas of marriage equality legislation. The bill, S. 115, which would provide marriage rights to lesbian and gay couples, passed the Vermont State Senate by a vote of 26 to 4 and the Vermont State House of Representatives by a vote of 95 to 52.
“This move by Governor Douglas denies basic human rights to lesbian and gay couples who live in the State of Vermont,” said Joe Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign. “We ask all fair-minded residents of Vermont to call their legislators immediately and urge them to stand up for equality by overriding Governor Douglas’ veto. It is our hope that the Vermont legislature will override this veto and ensure that all loving and committed couples are afforded the basic right to marry.”
Shortly after the House and Senate versions of the bill were reconciled today, Governor Douglas fulfilled his threat to veto the legislation, sending it back to the Vermont legislature for an override vote which is expected to take place soon. Two-thirds of legislators present in each chamber would be required to vote in favor of overriding the Governor’s veto. If the legislature overrides Gov. Douglas’ veto, Vermont will become the first state to provide marriage equality for committed lesbian and gay couples through the legislative process. (California’s legislature has twice passed similar legislation that was vetoed and not enacted into law).
For those living in Vermont, please contact your legislators, urge them to not come down on the wrong side of history and ask them to override the veto. If you need the email addresses for members of the Vermont House, they can be found at Vermont's Legislative Directory. A roll call of the House vote is located Here.
Displease can be express to Governor Douglas at his office by phone at 802-828-3333, by mail at 109 State Street, Pavilion, Montpelier, VT 05609-0101 or by email using the contact form on the governor's web site.
Update [2009-4-6 20:40:15 by craigkg]: It is almost a certainty the Senate will override the veto. As noted above, the Senate vote was 26-4, receiving a majority of both the Democratic and Republican caucuses in the Senate. The House vote will be close. Two members were absent from the vote last week and the House Speaker refrains from voting on bills unless his vote matters. The Speaker is in favor of the bill and the override. I remember reading last week that one of the absent members opposes the bill. I'm not sure of the other. That would leave our side with 96 yeas for override, but at least two members said they'd switch their vote from no to yes on an override. If the rest of the votes hold, that would be 98 votes for an override.
Under the Vermont Constitution, an override must pass by 2/3's of those present. If all members are present that means 100 votes; however, the number of votes needed diminishes if members are absent or choose not to vote. The votes necessary based on the number of members voting is as follows:
Members voting | Votes needed |
150 | 100 |
149 | 100 |
148 | 99 |
147 | 98 |
146 | 98 |
145 | 97 |
144 | 96 |
143 | 96 |
142 | 95 |
Update [2009-4-6 20:40:15 by craigkg]: From owl06's diary, posting here so more eyes will see it:
TEN Democrats voted against marriage last Thursday. Three are expected to vote to override a veto as a show of party unity. We need two more. We must act today!
So if you do nothing else today, join us in calling these two Democrats to tell them to do the right thing and support the Democratic caucus in overturning the veto:
Rep Cynthia Browning-Democrat
Home Office: 802-375-9019 (call here first)
Capitol Switchboard: 802-828-2231
Email: cynthiab@sover.net (call first, it’s easier to ignore email)
Browning has been under extraordinary pressure from her colleagues, but has yet to move. The Burlington Banner reported: "Browning said her vote had nothing to do with religion, but rather the fundamental purpose of marriage. "It’s not based on religion. It’s actually based on a view of how our society works ... on an anthropological basis," she said. [emphasis added]
tim-corcoranRep. Tim Corcoran-Democrat
Home Office: 802-447-0929 (call here first)
Capitol Switchboard: 802-828-2231
[...]
A complete list of democrats who voted against marriage equality.
Update [2009-4-6 20:40:15 by craigkg]: According to owl06's diary, there are three vote switchers in our favor, which means with the Speaker's vote and assuming the rest of the yea votes hold, we'd have 99 votes for override. If only 148 members vote, that would override the veto; however, one of the previously absent members was absent for a funeral and would presumably be available for this vote meaning we really need to get to or better yet past that 100 vote mark. Hit those phones and keyboards, especially those ten Democrats that voted no on the bill:
Member | Email | Phone # |
Kenneth Atkins, D-Winooski | katkins@leg.state.vt.us | (802) 655-1280 |
Sonny Audette, D-South Burl. | | (802) 862-4236 |
Clem Bissonnette, D-Winooski | cbissonnette@leg.state.vt.us | (802) 655-9527 |
Cynthia Browning, D-Arlington | cbrowning@leg.state.vt.us | (802) 375-9019 |
Tim Corcoran, D-Bennington | tcorcoran@leg.state.vt.us | (802) 447-0929 |
Michel Consejo, D-Sheldon | mconsejo@leg.state.vt.us | (802) 524-0305 |
Debbie Evans, D-Essex | devans@leg.state.vt.us | (802) 878-4317 |
Richard Howrigan, D-Fairfield | | (802) 827-6513 |
David Potter, D-Clarendon | dpotter@leg.state.vt.us | (802) 438-5385 |
Robert South, D-St. Johnsbury | rsouth@leg.state.vt.us | (802) 748-0873 |
Jeff Young, D-St. Albans City | jyoung@leg.state.vt.us | (802) 524-5284 |