Schwarzenegger
expected to veto marriage bill

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is likely to veto the second piece of legislation to pass his desk during his administration that would allow same-sex marriage. He has until October 14 to sign or veto the bill.

The governor has not announced an official stance on the bill, passed on September 7, but, as he made clear earlier this year, he will not sign it, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

"I don't want, as the governor, to go against the will of the people," he said at an event put on by the YMCA in February. "If it goes back on the ballot, the people can make the decision."

Voters passed legislation in 2000 that validates marriage in California as being only between heterosexual couples. The legislation won by a 22% margin.

However, a poll in June 2006 showed that 48% of California residents oppose marriage equality, contrasted with 55% opposed in 2000.

Equality California is now pushing a petition calling on the governor to sign the legislation.

"In 2005, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the marriage bill, and now we have a second chance to urge him to support fairness and equality for all Californians," Equality California wrote to voters. "We have a second chance to let the governor know that we aren't going anywhere--and that our numbers are growing." (The Advocate)