Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas vetoes gay marriage bill

I know he said he was going to do it but that doesn’t make it any less disappointing: Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas pulled an Arnold Schwarzenegger on Monday and vetoed a bill that would have made it legal for gays and lesbians to get married in the state. Schwarzenegger twice vetoed similar bills in California passed by the state legislature.

The Vermont House and Senate are expected to try to override the governor’s veto on Tuesday. the Senate has enough votes to override Douglas but it’s uncertain if the House does.

He  says he believes “marriage should be between a man and a woman.”And now here’s some of his other reasons for the veto: t: “On such an intensely personal issue as this, all members must do as their individual conscience dictates, with the best interest of their districts in mind. It is for those reasons that I have not sought to lobby members of my own party, or asked opponents to sustain my veto. This legislation does not address the inequalities espoused by proponents. Regardless of whether the term marriage is applied, federal benefits will still be denied to same sex couples in Vermont. And states that do not recognize same sex marriage or civil unions will also deny state rights and responsibilities to same sex couples in Vermont. This bill will not change that fact.”

Stay tuned.