Via Andrew Sullivan, a joint judiciary committee of the Maine House and Senate voted 11-3 to move forward with
LD1020, a gay marriage legalisation bill. The bill goes next to the Maine Senate, where Democrats have a small 20-15 advantage. If it passes the Senate, the house should be easier with a 96-54 (and 1 independent) Democratic advantage. Democratic governor John Baldacci will be the hardest hurdle, quoted seemingly in favour of a statewide referendum on the issue:
“Let me just say, it was very clear to me that the turnout of people who were there that this is an issue that people feel strongly about and they’re going to want to make sure that they have their say. In our state, I think they’re going to want to be part of the decision-making. I don’t know what form that’s going to take or how it’s going to be done, but you just can’t help but feel that way.”
Now he could simply mean a public debate or letter-writing to the government, but it does seem to lean in favour of referendum. However, according to Nate Silver’s analysis, this would not be an impediment to passage, as Maineians (?) would vote in favour of a gay marriage bill.
Edit: Wikipedia says Mainers is the correct term. Like Maynards Wine Gums, but without the D. Or the Gelatin.
Posted by kstar35 
