The Vermont Legislature appears likely to approve a bill which would legalize same-sex marriages in the state. The state Senate passed the bill overwhelmingly yesterday. Bishop Tom Ely of the Diocese of Vermont was among those who testified in support of the bill to a Senate panel last week.
According to the report on CNN’s website:
The bill, which passed the 30-member chamber by a 26-4 margin, moves to the Vermont House, where it is also expected to be approved. Republican Gov. Jim Douglas, however, has said he doesn’t support the bill.
“Gov. Douglas agrees with President Obama that marriage is between a man and a woman. He supports Vermont’s current civil union law, which provides equal rights, benefits and responsibilities to Vermonters in civil unions,” Douglas spokeswoman Dennise Casey said.
He also “believes this bill is a distraction from the important work the Legislature needs to do to pass a responsible budget and get our economy going again,” Casey added.