VT Govenor Vetoes Marriage Bill; Override Vote Set For 9am

As expected Vermont Governor Jim Douglas has vetoed S. 115, the marriage equality bill after the State Senate agreed to the changes made to the bill by the House and sent it to the Republican Governor for his signature or veto.

The State Legislature has set debate on the motion to override the Governor's veto at 9am EDT Tuesday.

The Vermont State Senate is expected to override the veto (S.115 passed 26-4 last week) but in the Vermont House of Representatives the measure passed 95-52 which is 5 votes short of the 100 votes necessary in the 150 member body.

Here's the Governor's Veto Message:

Pursuant to Chapter II, Section 11 of the Vermont Constitution, I am returning S.115, An Act Relating to Civil Marriage, without my signature because of my objections described herein. I do so recognizing that this is an issue that is intensely personal, with strongly held beliefs and convictions on both sides. But I am charged by our Constitution to act on this legislation and by its return, I have fulfilled that responsibility.

The question of same sex marriage is an issue that does not break cleanly as Republican or Democrat, rural or urban, religious or atheist. The decision to support or oppose is informed by an amalgam of experience, conviction and faith. These beliefs are deeply held, passionately expressed and, for many legislators, infinitely more complex than the ultimate 'yea' or 'nay' required to fulfill the duty of their office.

On such an intensely personal issue as this, all members must do as their individual conscience dictates, with the best interest of their districts in mind. It is for those reasons that I have not sought to lobby members of my own party, or asked opponents to sustain my veto.

This legislation does not address the inequalities espoused by proponents. Regardless of whether the term marriage is applied, federal benefits will still be denied to same sex couples in Vermont. And states that do not recognize same sex marriage or civil unions will also deny state rights and responsibilities to same sex couples in Vermont. This bill will not change that fact.

Vermont's civil union law has afforded the same state rights, responsibilities and benefits of marriage to same sex couples. Our civil union law serves Vermont well and I would support congressional action to extend those benefits at the federal level to states that recognize same sex unions. But I believe that marriage should remain between a man and a woman.

Separate but equal, much?