Minnesota marriage amendment makes 2012 ballot
May 23, 2011
SAINT PAUL, Minnesota: A proposed same-sex marriage amendment will appear on the November 6, 2012 ballot in Minnesota. The legislatively-referred constitutional amendment was approved by both chambers of the Minnesota State Legislature. As such, it does not require the approval of Gov. Mark Dayton (D).[1]
The bill was first passed by the Minnesota State Senate on May 11, winning approval 38-27 along party lines. One Democrat, LeRoy Stumpf, crossed the aisle to support the measure.[2] On Saturday May 21, the bill won final approval in the Minnesota House of Representatives, again passing along largely partisan lines, 70-62. Two Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the bill, and four Republicans voted against the measure.[1]
The controversial measure generated hours of heated testimony in both houses and will likely be hotly contested in 2012.[2] Early polling by the Minneapolis Star Tribune suggests that public support for the measure may be weak. The poll found that 39% of respondents supported the measure while 55% opposed it.[3] Governor Dayton has also indicated his opposition to the bill.[4] However, supporters argue that the amendment is necessary to allow voters to set policy and protect existing statutes from judicial action.[5]
The measure is the first 2012 measure certified to be approved in Minnesota.
See also
| ||
| Propositions • | Recall | • Law |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Boston.com, "Minn. marriage amendment on ballot," May 23, 2011
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Star Tribune, "Senate approves constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage," May 11, 2011
- ↑ Star Tribune, "Minnesota Poll: Support falls for ban on gay marriage," May 13, 2011
- ↑ Advocate.com, "Minn. Governor Addresses Equality Rally," April 15, 2011
- ↑ St. Cloud Times,"New legislators say same-sex marriage amendment could go to voters," November 27, 2010
| ||||||||||
