Christie vetoes gay marriage (sort of)
His solution is to hire an ombudsman to monitor civil unions. Same-sex couples have been allowed to enter into civil unions since 2007, but it has been widely criticized as ineffective.
Christie vetoes gay marriage (sort of)
Matt Katz, Inquirer Staff Writer
Gov. Christie has "conditionally vetoed" the gay marriage bill that landed on his desk by rejecting gay marriage but offering a solution that he says will preserve civil rights.
His solution is to hire an ombudsman to monitor civil unions. Same-sex couples have been allowed to enter into civil unions since 2007, but it has been widely criticized as ineffective.
In a statement, Christie said: “I have been just as adamant that same-sex couples in a civil union deserve the very same rights and benefits enjoyed by married couples – as well as the strict enforcement of those rights and benefits...To that end, I include in my conditional veto the creation of a strong Ombudsman for Civil Unions to carry on New Jersey’s strong tradition of tolerance and fairness. The Ombudsman will be charged with increasing awareness of the law regarding civil unions, will provide a clear point of contact for those who have questions or concerns and will be required to report any evidence of the law being violated. In this way, we can ensure equal treatment under the law.”
Democrats would have to vote to approve Christie's offer, which is unlikely. Democrats also don't want to take up Christie's offer to put gay marriage on the ballot in November.
Democratic Assembly Majority Louis Greenwald just released this statement: "Thousands and thousands of New Jersey families are denied financial security, health security and fundamental equal rights every day because of a failed civil union experiment. And yet in spite of their second-class citizenship, the governor single-handedly - -through the stroke of his pen - seeks to codify discrimination against them...He has just violated his own oath of office. And in the end, he will answer to every New Jersey citizen for his actions."
Christie is a weasel. A gutless one at that. (Apologies to weasels.)— Jen D- And while you are at it Mr. Chrisite look into A2405 which protects children , the Senate version S2405 was allowed to die on the vine which is unacceptable !— ABAZZ30
- And while you are at it Mr. Chrisite look into A2405 which protects children , the Senate version S2405 was allowed to die on the vine which is unacceptable !— ABAZZ30
- Christie is right. The People should decide this matter. Not a bunch of overpaid out of touch politicians who cater to a small demogaphic simply to remain in office. Liberals are the most selfish of people taking one's rights any chance then can.— Citizenc92
- What a disgrace to New Jersey. In history books, time will show him as voting for the losing side of this issue and looking like a bigot.— TakeBackPhilly
- To all you losers that want to strip the people of NJ's right to determine their own fate, crawl back under the rock that you came from. The silent majority has spoken and your selfish liberal rants, which once turned NJ into the fiscal and moral laughing stock of the nation (Corzine, McGreavy, etal) are now no longer welcome. Christie is the best thing to happen to NJ and his polling numbers and popularity throughout the nation proves it.— Citizenc92
- Christie will be on the wrong side of history. If the "people" had decided the matters of slavery, women's suffrage, and school desegregation, what would our country look like today? Liberals aren't about taking away rights, they are all about equal rights for everyone.— kathleenvs
- @kathleen - you don't want equal rights. People like you want "your way or the highway". Christie gave the proper solution for this and if the majority of The People decide they want it, than it will happen. That's what happens in a Democracy...not your desired Dictatorship.— Citizenc92
- 92, this isn't the proper solution. Everything isn't meant to be put up to popular vote. Otherwise, you wouldn't be allowed on here to make your dumb comments. Gov two-face outdid himself by arguing against his own veto. He wants gays to have the same rights as everyone else, he says, and he'll protect those rights, he says, then he vetoes a bill that would give gays the same right as everyone else. You can't get any more phony than that. If the legislature passed a bill desiginating "separate, but equal" drinking fountains and washrooms, etc. for gays in NJ, Christie would sign it, because he'll protect the rights of gays. Right? — mike l
- Citizenc92: actually this is a representative democracy, where we elected representatives to enact legislation, not delegates who are bound by instructions. There are times when representatives vote on issues which they know are not popular, but which they feel are the right things to do. Voters can then vote them out if they so choose. If you are going to pontificate on democracy versus dictatorship, get your terms correct. Nor did you respond to the question, where would we be if all civil rights issues were left to voters, rather than to their representatives. Christie last time I looked did not leave it to the voters on whether they want to abolish the New Jersey gross income tax or whether the DRPA should be abolished. Let's vote on every issue and do away with the legislature; think of the savings.— chuckw
- christie clearly in his heart believes same sex couples have the right to marry and just doesn't have the courage to have this attached to his name. he's no culture warrior. he's a hard lined fiscal conservative and probably somewhat socially liberal. but he knows that signing this bill would kill any chance he has to run for national office.— Ryan
- Ryan: you are probably correct; nice post.— chuckw
- God forbid he runs for national office. Bad enough that we are stuck with him, spare the other 49 States.— richw38
- Now that you brought God into it, let me remind you that God forbids gay marriage! I thank God for people like Christie who aren't afraid to stand up for what he knows is right no matter how many of the spineless, mentally touched liberals go against him. — erniebanks14
- So let the voters decide. Isn't that the ultimate democracy?— fischman
Reach him at mkatz@phillynews.com or 609-217-8355.
Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattkatz00. Reach Matt at mkatz@phillynews.com or 609-217-8355.
