California won't
revisit marriage bill until 2007

California state assembly speaker Fabian Nunez says that when the legislature reconvenes in January, a bill permitting same-sex marriage will not be on the agenda. Nunez told reporters that the legislative push for same-sex marriage will be tabled until 2007. This summer the Democrat-controlled legislature passed AB 849 legalizing same-sex marriage, only to see it vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last month. The governor's veto was widely praised by conservative groups that seek to outlaw same-sex marriage as well as existing domestic-partnership rights in the state with ballot initiatives next June and November. The bill's sponsor, San Francisco Democrat Mark Leno, told the Bay Area Reporter newspaper that "the singular focus in the coming year will be the defeat of proposed constitutional amendments, and any thought of reintroducing the bill should be considered in light of those amendments." Gay rights advocates in the legislature may also be hoping to wait out Schwarzenegger's term in office. The two top Democratic candidates for California governor, state controller Steve Westly and state treasurer Phil Angelides, both support marriage equality for same-sex couples. If either defeats Schwarzenegger in November 2006 and the legislature passes Leno's bill again in 2007, same-sex marriage would likely be a reality in California. (Steve Valentino, Sirius OutQ News)