California's most prominent gay rights group is
telling Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that it's
payback time for his veto last month of a bill that
would have granted marriage rights to same-sex couples.
Equality California is taking aim at five ballot
proposals the Republican governor is backing in a
special election scheduled for November 8.
On the list: Proposition 74, which, among other
things, would make it harder for new teachers to gain
tenure. Equality California says that would make it
easier for districts to target teachers because
of their sexual orientation. Proposition 76 would give
the governor broad new powers to limit state spending,
removing some guaranteed funding to schools and health
care programs. The group worries that it could cut off
vital services to people living with HIV. And Proposition
77 would change who draws up political
districts--Equality California says it's
an attempt to elect more antigay legislators and defeat
those who voted for the marriage equality bill.
The group also opposes the two other
propositions: One would require doctors to notify
parents before performing an abortion on a minor, and
the other would force labor unions to get the permission of
members before donating dues to political campaigns.
(Matthew Nathan, Sirius OutQ News)
