Sorry to be brief with this post from work, but there's been no open thread on the Front Page in a while, and surprisingly nothing in the diaries today (unless I missed something)...
Amidst all of the other activity today, the New Jersey Senate has finally begun deliberations on the state's marriage equality bill.
From the nj.com
TRENTON -- The state Senate has begun deliberations on a bill to legalize same-sex marriages in New Jersey -- a controversial initiative that's being closely watched by supporters and opponents all around the nation.
The bill needs at least 21 favorable votes in order to survive in the 40-member Senate. If it passes today, the bill will then head to the 80-member state Assembly for review.
Deliberations were expected to start at 2 p.m. today but got delayed for about 45 minutes. But the session is now under way.
So, I'm posting hoping that someone who has time can get the ball rolling in the comments with any live feed or up-to-date news as it becomes avaialble.
I'm not optimistic on this one. Only 13 committed supporters in the NJ Senate by last count, vs. 21 needed for passage.
Fingers crossed nonetheless.
UPDATE: h/t to Roger Fox in the comments:
Link to live feed
UPDATE #2: w/ apologies to the folks at Blue Jersey for not going to their site in the first place (!) and w/ h/t to jpmassar in the comments for pointing it out, here's a link to the Blue Jersey live blog where I found (and loved) this:
4:08 When Buono recited the last words of the Pledge of Allegiance a huge ovation in this room. During the pledge before the session began, people here stood and then shouted the last line: Liberty and justice for all. For all! - It's like she heard us. Rosi
4:06 Barbara Buono (D-Edison) asks her colleagues to "cast a vote in favor of liberty and justice for all."
UPDATE #3: the measure failed on a 14-20 vote. From Blue Jersey:
4:38 ...and fails 14-20.
4:37 And the vote begins...