 Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger |
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, citing a ballot measure supporting traditional marriage, promised yesterday to veto the first state legislation approving same-sex marriage.
The Legislature’s action trampled over Proposition 22, an overwhelmingly popular 2000 initiative that banned same-sex marriage in California, said a spokeswoman for the governor.
“We cannot have a system where the people vote and the Legislature derails the vote,” said Margita Thompson, Schwarzenegger’s press secretary. “Out of respect for the will of the people, the governor will veto AB 849.”
While Schwarzenegger had hinted he would veto the same-sex marriage bill, last night’s abrupt early evening announcement came as a surprise.
“I’m not going to talk about that at all today,” the governor had said earlier in the day when he was asked about a possible veto at a morning meeting with Salvation Army volunteers.
At the same Sacramento stop, Thompson told reporters there was no hurry to make a decision on the bill because it had not even reached the governor’s desk. It would be handled the same as any other measure sent to the governor, she added.
Previous stories:
Same-sex marriage bill on Arnold’s desk
California Senate OKs same-sex marriage
California Dems endorse same-sex civil unions
Same-sex marriage bill advances in California
Federal Marriage Amendment dead?
How homosexual activists took America by surprise
California high court blocks S.F. ‘marriages’
Bush announces support for marriage amendment
Activists respond to Bush amendment stance
Marriage defenders slow same-sex tide
Mayor facing charges for same-sex weddings
Another city backs same-sex marriage
Arnold: Terminate same-sex marriage
