Don't expect a state referendum on gay marriage anytime soon.
Ian Palmquist, executive director of the gay rights group Equality N.C., said that he is cautiously optimistic that the leadership of the state House and Senate will remain the same in the coming year, preventing a referendum from being put on the ballot.
After California voters added a gay marriage ban to their state constitution in a recent election, gays and lesbians nationally have mobilized to protest similar measures, holding rallies in North Carolina this weekend.
State Republicans have long called for a referendum here, although a state law from 1871 defines marriage as between "a male and female person" and a second law from 1996 specifically invalidates same-sex unions.
The state House and Senate would have to approve putting a referendum on the ballot by three-fifths margins. (The governor usually has no say.) Saying a referendum is unnecessary, Democratic leaders in the state House and Senate have blocked it from coming to a vote.
Palmquist said he's happy that North Carolina has avoided a referendum.
"You're essentially putting the rights of a minority up to a popular vote without any other checks and balances on it," he said. "That's not what constitutions are for."
Comments
Mr. Terrell, voters rejected your nonsense
November 18, 2008 - 7:05am — cornbreadJust a few days ago, voters gave a big thumbs up to how Democrats are running the state.
In addition, they rejected you by an overwhelming margin after seeing your absurd ideas posted on every blog available.
Rep. Deborah Ross laid waste to this "too expensive bond" argument on the floor of the House during the floor debate on the budget this year. She has been proved right by events and the economy. We need the jobs NOW, and needed to issue the bonds quickly.
The people didn't think Republicans did a great job running Washington, so they kicked them out - completely. North Carolinians kept Democrats in charge. Open your eyes.
Re: N.C. likely to avoid referendum
November 18, 2008 - 1:32am — tangozHey Cornbread, you are awfully quiet over the $850 million the Democrats borrowed this year without voter appoval. I think a referendum asking the will of the voters is cheap compared to how Democrats are running this state.
We are expecting a $3 billion shortfall next year. I do think Republicans can do a much better job running this state. Maybe voters will be shocked into really how bad Demcorats have run this state.
And a waste of millions of taxpayer dollars
November 17, 2008 - 2:21pm — cornbreadhttp://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2007/FiscalNotes/House/PDF/HFN0493v1.pdf
The fiscal note from House Bill 493 of the 2007 Session indicates the multi-million dollar price tag for such an amendment to be placed on the ballot.
Even in good economic times, the amendment doesn't make fiscal sense. It makes even less sense when the state is facing a huge shortfall.
Perhaps the hypocrites at the NC Family Policy Council and the Christian Action League would rather the state spend such money on marriage counseling for the thousands of straight couples in NC that get divorced each year?
I won't hold my breath.