Authored by: Christian Avard on Monday, March 23 2009 @ 04:48 PM GMT+4

Senator Mullen of Rutland County offers an amendment of sorts to
water down the bill. Mullen wants it to go to the people as a
referendum, but Senator Dick Sears, chair of the Judiciary, now
speaks and said they voted Mullen's amendment down in Judiciary 4-
1.

He suggests it a bad idea. It's a slippery slope he says. He's also
concerned about the money spent "it's chump change" compared to
Prop 8 in California.

"If you make this a referendum, it will not be a Vermont issue and
watch money come in."




---
"How come it's a penny for your thoughts but you have to put your two cents in? Somebody is making a penny." - Steven Wright, comedian

Authored by: Christian Avard on Monday, March 23 2009 @ 04:50 PM GMT+4

Sears: I oppose referendums. This one worries me. The issue is "Is this
the right thing for Vermont?" Should we have a referendum on Vermont
Yankee?" He asks... where do we draw the line.





---
"How come it's a penny for your thoughts but you have to put your two cents in? Somebody is making a penny." - Steven Wright, comedian

Authored by: Christian Avard on Monday, March 23 2009 @ 04:52 PM GMT+4

Senator Jeanette White, of Windham, speaks:

"A good leader does not count opinions, he/she weighs them." The
majority can be wrong and the minority can't be protected." We (in the
Senate) need to make the hard decision.

---
"How come it's a penny for your thoughts but you have to put your two cents in? Somebody is making a penny." - Steven Wright, comedian

Authored by: Christian Avard on Monday, March 23 2009 @ 04:55 PM GMT+4

Sen. Phil Scott (R-Washington) is concerned with rapid pace of the bill
and has struggled with the issue personally. He supports the referendum
since he thinks it's going to pass anyway.

the other senator, Sen. Ann Cummings (D-Washington) says ERA debate
was divisive due to out-of-state money and influence, same with civil
unions. Don't support the amendment. Keep the discussion in state!

---
"How come it's a penny for your thoughts but you have to put your two cents in? Somebody is making a penny." - Steven Wright, comedian

Authored by: Christian Avard on Monday, March 23 2009 @ 04:59 PM GMT+4

They now want to read the bill for the Third time. Sears speaks one more
time.

The amendment would turn the bill to a referendum.

---
"How come it's a penny for your thoughts but you have to put your two cents in? Somebody is making a penny." - Steven Wright, comedian

Authored by: Christian Avard on Monday, March 23 2009 @ 05:00 PM GMT+4

... the amendment "would've" turned the gay marriage issue over to a
statewide referendum.

---
"How come it's a penny for your thoughts but you have to put your two cents in? Somebody is making a penny." - Steven Wright, comedian

Authored by: Lise on Monday, March 23 2009 @ 05:00 PM GMT+4

Hey Christian, this is great. Thanks for the up-to-date coverage!

Also, a hint -- if you put a number sign in your title, no one can reply to
that comment. You might want to not use # in your titles....

But thanks again for doing this. Great to be able to follow the debate.

Authored by: Christian Avard on Monday, March 23 2009 @ 05:01 PM GMT+4

Thanks Lise... You learn something new every day :)




---
"How come it's a penny for your thoughts but you have to put your two cents in? Somebody is making a penny." - Steven Wright, comedian

Authored by: Christian Avard on Monday, March 23 2009 @ 05:06 PM GMT+4

Senator from Caledonia County speaks... we ought to have Vermont
licenses of civil marriage, the amendment passes on a voice vote.
Sounds like it distinguishes "civil marriage" in marriage licenses.
Technicality question that passes with ease.

Now they want to read it a third time (meaning vote on it)... but Senator
Sears speaks one more time.



---
"How come it's a penny for your thoughts but you have to put your two cents in? Somebody is making a penny." - Steven Wright, comedian

Authored by: Christian Avard on Monday, March 23 2009 @ 05:08 PM GMT+4

Shay Totten via Twitter says the amendment "the bill updating marriage
forms, protecting religions."

---
"How come it's a penny for your thoughts but you have to put your two cents in? Somebody is making a penny." - Steven Wright, comedian

Authored by: Christian Avard on Monday, March 23 2009 @ 05:12 PM GMT+4

Sears says testimony from wide range of religions comes down to how
you interpret the Bible - clergy are divided on the issue.

Senator Randy Brock from Franklin County speaks in opposition saying
"it's an institution between one man and one woman" and is "unique."
Says Obama and Biden believes the same.

---
"How come it's a penny for your thoughts but you have to put your two cents in? Somebody is making a penny." - Steven Wright, comedian

Authored by: Christian Avard on Monday, March 23 2009 @ 05:16 PM GMT+4

Senator McCormack from Windsor County speaks out against the con
arguments. Says it's not being rushed.



---
"How come it's a penny for your thoughts but you have to put your two cents in? Somebody is making a penny." - Steven Wright, comedian

Authored by: Christian Avard on Monday, March 23 2009 @ 05:27 PM GMT+4

Sen. McCormack says bill does not change definition of marriage re:
rights and responsibilities, just who can be married. "If it does change
the definition, it makes it more just." He also says marriage has been
defined, and redefined, through the ages - from many wives to one
spouse

Senator Mullin from Rutland County NOW urges colleagues to pass S.
115. "I believe it's something we're born with."

Now Senator Ed Flanagan from Chittenden County supports it.

Other Senator Hull Maynard, from Rutland County, says marriage has
evolved through the church not the legislature? "Who's doing the
defining" It now shifts from where it was before to the green books in
the legislature. That saddens me. What kinds of changes could they
make in the future? What about unitendended consequences?"

Now Shummy speaks "blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, "proud to be a
Vermonter," blah, blah, blah."

---
"How come it's a penny for your thoughts but you have to put your two cents in? Somebody is making a penny." - Steven Wright, comedian

Authored by: Christian Avard on Monday, March 23 2009 @ 05:29 PM GMT+4

.... I gotta head home now. If someone wants to take over, by all means
do so.

By the time I get home to Dummerston, Shummy will still be speaking
anyway :) :) :)

---
"How come it's a penny for your thoughts but you have to put your two cents in? Somebody is making a penny." - Steven Wright, comedian

Authored by: AirBrattleboro on Monday, March 23 2009 @ 05:50 PM GMT+4

VPR just reported that the bill passed in the Senate.

---
**********************************************
Steve West
Host - "Live & Local"
WKVT 1490 AM
802.254.5286

Authored by: cgrotke on Monday, March 23 2009 @ 06:15 PM GMT+4

Vote was 26-4.

Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, March 23 2009 @ 07:08 PM GMT+4

Nice reporting. Thank you.

Authored by: Christian Avard on Monday, March 23 2009 @ 10:47 PM GMT+4

... The House.

From what I hear, they won't take it up until late next week. If it
passes, which I think it will, it goes to Governor Jim Douglas' desk.
That's where people need to apply the most pressure.

As for Brattleboro area reps, I think you're safe. Unless you live in
Guilford and/or Vernon and you have Patty O'Donnell as your rep. You
may have to pressure her as well.

Stay tuned for the House.

And BTW, New Hampshire is bringing up the issue this week in the
House. That may be more difficult. Who knows.... Watch for it. Blue
Hampshire.com will have all the latest.