Governor Jim Douglas at a press conference on Wednesday.The Vermont Legislature appeared to be headed toward passage of a Same Sex Marriage bill this year. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 26 in favor, 4 opposed. There were more Republicans voting for the bill than against, proving that civil rights cross party lines.
The House of Representatives is set to take up the bill next week, but in a surprise move by Governor Jim Douglas, he held a press conference to announce that he will Veto any such bill that lands on his desk. This is a huge set back to Vermonters.
I was shocked to hear the Governor say that he would Veto the bill. I personally think that he is trying to interfere with the legislative process by intimidating legislators to split along party lines and to support his personal beliefs. This is wrong. Let the elected officials representing all Vermonters the right to have open honest debate, hear testimony and then pass bills as they see appropriate. Once it is on the Governor's desk, then he can act on it.
I was so disturbed by the Governor's actions that I wrote him a letter and hand delivered it to his office the very next day. It is beyond me how he can not see this as a civil rights issue, and I have told him such.
Who is in a better position to stand up for Vermonter's civil rights than the Governor? If you have strong beliefs about the Same Sex Marriage legislation, please contact Governor Douglas's office.
Governor Jim Douglas
109 State Street, Pavilion
Montpelier, VT 05609-0101
Phone: (802) 828-3333
In VT: 1-800-649-6825
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