Gay marriage ban passes [Minnesota] House and gets closer to 2006 ballot

[Dickie Flatt]

http://www.startribune.com/stories/587/5323674.html

After a passionate debate that stretched over three hours, the Minnesota House voted 77-56 to put a gay marriage ban before voters next year. ...

"The only way to ensure that activist judges don't circumvent the will of the people is by allowing the people of Minnesota to have their voices heard,'' said Rep. Dan Severson, R-Sauk Rapids, the bill's sponsor. "That definition may stand in our books.''

Sixty-four of the 68 House Republicans voted for the ban, which also picked up the votes of 13 DFLers. Three Republicans voted against it, and one was absent.

Democrats who opposed the ban said it would trample the civil rights of a minority without helping troubled heterosexual couples. They criticized the bill for diverting attention from pressing problems facing schools, the health care system and economy.

[VegasWolf]

1. And, by Diebold, this vote will pass! n/t

[Lithos]

2. Interesting

Trying to supercharge the 2006 election already I see...

L-

[Wickerman]

3. bastards

:grr:

I think the senate will be smarter.

"The House vote — not quite as lopsided as last year's 88-42 vote — means the effort to ban same-sex marriage and civil unions is halfway to the ballot. All that's needed now is approval from the DFL-controlled Senate, which never voted on the issue last year.

Earlier this year, Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson warned Republicans that if they push for a gay-marriage vote this session, they'll also have to vote on constitutional amendments on universal health insurance, environmental protections and a ban on state-run casinos."

[BattyDem]

4. Bigotry ... it's the American Way!

:grr: