N.J. Gay Marriage Countdown: 69 Days

By Julie Bolcer

New Jersey governor Jon Corzine (pictured), who lost his bid for reelection last week, will leave office in 69 days, providing a small window of time for the state legislature to pass a marriage equality bill.

Governor Corzine, who supported the 2007 civil union law, has pledged to sign a marriage equality bill if legislators can pass it, but lawmakers need to act fast, according to the Star-Ledger.

“That means the state Legislature has 10 weeks to get a gay marriage bill on the governor’s desk -- or give up for at least the next four years,” the Star-Ledger reported.

Chris Christie, the Republican former federal prosecutor who defeated Corzine, opposes marriage equality and has said he would veto any same-sex marriage bill that arrives on his desk.

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Name: Oscar
Date posted: 11/12/2009 8:55:37 AM
Hometown: Jersey City

Comment:
Corzine is a piece of shit who was booted out and means nothing to us. During his inept term, my property taxes were raised to the point I am about to become homeless. Gee, I really can not get into the sellout politicos The Advocate thinks are so wonderful. I always thought he looked like he could use a bath, too.
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Name: Dameon
Date posted: 11/11/2009 12:35:42 PM
Hometown: Phoenix

Comment:
A little history in civics: governors cannot repeal laws they don't like. That generally happens through the legislature, which will still be under Dem control after Corzine leaves office. The only way for a law to be repealed in NJ by popular vote is through a constitutional amendment. That would almost certainly never happen, because by NJ law for such an amendment to be even put to a vote it would need to be supported by a majority of both houses of the Dem-controlled legislature AND even if that were to somehow happen, polls have shown that 67%+ of NJ residents are opposed to that type of amendment. If the Dems can push marriage equality through before Corzine leaves office, it will almost certainly be in NJ to stay. If they cannot get it through before the bigot Christie is sworn in, though, they do not have enough votes to override a governor's veto.
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Name: BWC
Date posted: 11/11/2009 12:26:10 PM
Hometown: Toms River, NJ

Comment:
The governor can not simply repeal marriage equality at will, and NJ does not have the same petition process to get a vote against equality on the ballot that some other states have. We need this to pass now. Once it's on the books, it would be very hard for the bigots at NOM to do anything about it. Why do you think we haven't had a repeal in Iowa? They can't get it on the ballot there either. I agree that a federal approach is also important, but we can't abandon the state by state fight. Small battles are more easily won, and the more states we achieve equality in, the easier it will be pass federal equality legislation.
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Name: Mark Patro
Date posted: 11/11/2009 12:16:30 PM
Hometown: PFLAG Baltimore County

Comment:
"They" want us to give up hope. NOW is the time to work harder. If we work on the federal level to get ENDA passed and we work to get "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" overturned we will have changed the environment to our favor. Even if this does not allow us to achieve Marriage Equality quickly, the culture will keep moving in our favorable direction. In the end we will achieve Equality in all three areas, but only if we do not give up hope. It is our job to keep the pressure on these representatives.
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Name: brandi parker
Date posted: 11/11/2009 12:04:01 PM
Hometown: roanoke va

Comment:
What differance does it make if they get it through and he signs it ? The incoming Gov will just repeal it.....that's the problem is GLBT rights are subject to popular vote ! it's a double standard No other group of people in our country has their rights put up to popular vote every. We need to change laws on a federal level once and for all and be done with it. This going from state to state pouring money and time,blood sweat and tears into campaign after campaign then having those rgiths removed in the next election is madness and uproductive.....it getting us no where....the only real progress we're making is that which is being done on the federal level.....and that's were we should focus our efforts.
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Name: robert
Date posted: 11/11/2009 11:31:10 AM
Hometown: atlanta

Comment:
69 is a lucky number. It is unfortunate that we had little or no progress with Democrats in control. I lost faith in my party and leaders when it comes to gay right issues

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