Taking a cue from Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican lawmaker Thursday took the first step toward letting voters decide whether New Jersey should allow same-sex marriage.
State Sen. Christopher “Kip” Bateman (R-Somerset) introduced a resolution proposing a referendum on same-sex marriage to appear on the ballot in November — an effort that Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) later vowed would never see the light of day.
“Not a chance in hell that bill is going anywhere,” Sweeney said in an interview. “It’s a cop-out.”
The Senate and the Assembly, both controlled by Democrats, are scheduled to vote next week on a measure that would legalize same-sex marriage, but Christie has pledged to veto it and has instead urged the Legislature put the issue before New Jersey voters.
He has correctly noted that recent polls have shown a majority of New Jersey voters approve of legalizing same-sex marriage.
But Democrats argue that as a civil right, same-sex marriage should not appear as a ballot question because the rights of minorities should not be put to a popular vote. They also note that none of the ballot questions on same-sex marriage in 31 states has passed.
(via Proposal for gay marriage referendum moves forward; Sen. Sweeney vows to block it | NJ.com)
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