Civil Unions Bills Introduced

A3787/S2407 Revises the marriage laws; establishes civil unions; establishes the "New Jersey Civil Union Review Commission." (4.00 / 1)

Looks like it's going to the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Thursday.  On Judiciary we have Democrats Greenstein, Guscoria, Pou and Quigley and Republicans Chris Connors and Russo.  Anything that passes the committee must have the blessing of either Reed Gusciora or Chris Connors (hopefully the former rather than the latter), because Russo will vote no on anything.

No press release on politicsnj means the leadership is not anxious to put this in the news.

What is this "Civil Union Review Commission"?  Is this a marriage equality phase-in bill?  Are they kicking the can down the road?

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by: Scott Weingart @ Mon Dec 04, 2006 at 21:56:54 PM CST

Commission (0.00 / 0)

Since a copy of the bill is not available on the Legislature's website, I don't know for sure.  However, I imagine this is a bone to those who believe that civil unions are intrinsically deficient.  So, the Commission can review and see if something else is needed down the road.

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by: Creed Pogue @ Mon Dec 04, 2006 at 22:57:35 PM CST

[ Parent ]

If anyone not on the state payroll has seen the bill... (0.00 / 0)

...then Steven Goldstein probably has, or at least he might know what's in it.

(reckless speculation follows)
Based on this diary of his, it seems like the bill will be a marriage equality phase-in over two years.  The Civil Union Commission would be the entity that ultimately allows same-sex couples to marry, thus taking the decision out of the hands of the legislature.  They can't stretch it out more than three years because then a Republican governor and legislature could dissolve the commission and prevent marriage equality from happening in NJ.
(end reckless speculation)

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by: Scott Weingart @ Mon Dec 04, 2006 at 23:57:35 PM CST

[ Parent ]

At least I was right on the top count... (0.00 / 0)

Steven Goldstein knows the details of the bill.

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by: Scott Weingart @ Tue Dec 05, 2006 at 00:12:43 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Push Comes To Shove (0.00 / 0)

The only co-sponsor that was added today for A3685 was Bill Payne.  What happened to Brian Stack as well?  Re-reading the APP article is interesting because neither Caraballo nor Stack are quoted.  Did Reed misunderstand or did they backtrack on him?

The composition of the Assembly Judiciary Committee is just another example of the basic problems with getting a gay marriage bill passed.  If Greenstein was to vote no, for example, then Reed's bill is basically dead if it ever got a hearing and since she is the chair she decides if it will or not.  Of course, if Reed votes no on the civil unions bill, then he would probably kill it.  The ultimate success of the all or nothing strategy.

There is just a lot of political tone-deafness around.  The virtually unanswered attacks on the paid family leave bill is just another example.  Politics is the art of the possible.

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by: Creed Pogue @ Mon Dec 04, 2006 at 22:55:24 PM CST

Linda Greenstein waffled in the papers after the decision. (0.00 / 0)

Unfortunately for her, she can't wait for Bill Baroni on this one because she's chairwoman of the committee.  She will most likely push through whatever bill the leadership endorses.

The Senate Judiciary Committee would approve any bill with 7 or 8 votes for to 3 or 4 votes against depending on how Bob Martin votes.

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by: Scott Weingart @ Mon Dec 04, 2006 at 23:48:43 PM CST

[ Parent ]

scott, (0.00 / 0)

why is this in the judiciary committee?

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by: morrisdem @ Mon Dec 04, 2006 at 23:52:24 PM CST

[ Parent ]

the lazy answer is... (0.00 / 0)

because the leadership says so.

General laws regarding marriage are usually handled in Judiciary.  A (probably excessively) cynical answer would be that the Assembly Judiciary is meeting on Thursday anyway so they don't have to call any extra members to Trenton that day.

Furthermore, Judiciary is the best venue for hearings on the subject because we are dealing with a civil rights/equal protection issue.

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by: Scott Weingart @ Tue Dec 05, 2006 at 00:08:13 AM CST

[ Parent ]

thanks n/t (0.00 / 0)

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by: morrisdem @ Tue Dec 05, 2006 at 01:22:06 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Bonnie Watson-Coleman (0.00 / 0)

stated she would support marriage but not domestic partnership years ago at a Trenton Gay and Lesbian Civic Association. anyone know if she is cosponsoring/supporting marriage legislation along with Reed?

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by: DrRick @ Wed Dec 06, 2006 at 02:23:53 AM CST