Ayuh!
From Washington Monthly:
Both chambers of the state legislature Maine passed a bill allowing gay marriage, but it was unclear whether the state's Democratic governor, John Baldacci, would sign the measure into law. Baldacci was on record opposing gay marriage, but did he feel strongly enough to veto a bill endorsed by the state's democratically elected lawmakers?
Fortunately, no. The bill became law this morning.
Gov. John Baldacci on Wednesday signed a gay marriage bill passed just hours before by the Maine Legislature.
Baldacci made his announcement within an hour of the Maine Senate giving its final approval to LD 1020. The Senate voted 21-13 in favor of the measure after a short debate.
"In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions," Governor Baldacci said in a written statement. "I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law, and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage."
The House of Representatives gave its approval on a 89-57 vote Tuesday.
Maine is now the fifth state to approve marriage equality. Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Iowa did so through the courts, and Maine joins Vermont as the two states to approve gay marriage through the legislative process.
Remember Maine!
Both chambers of the state legislature Maine passed a bill allowing gay marriage, but it was unclear whether the state's Democratic governor, John Baldacci, would sign the measure into law. Baldacci was on record opposing gay marriage, but did he feel strongly enough to veto a bill endorsed by the state's democratically elected lawmakers?
Fortunately, no. The bill became law this morning.
Gov. John Baldacci on Wednesday signed a gay marriage bill passed just hours before by the Maine Legislature.
Baldacci made his announcement within an hour of the Maine Senate giving its final approval to LD 1020. The Senate voted 21-13 in favor of the measure after a short debate.
"In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions," Governor Baldacci said in a written statement. "I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law, and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage."
The House of Representatives gave its approval on a 89-57 vote Tuesday.
Maine is now the fifth state to approve marriage equality. Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Iowa did so through the courts, and Maine joins Vermont as the two states to approve gay marriage through the legislative process.
Remember Maine!