Says Senate will vote Feb. 13 to legalize gay marriage

BY TOM HESTER SR.

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

State Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester) announced today that the Democratic-controlled Legislature will not consider moving legislation that would allow voters to decide through a ballot referendum is same-sex marriage should be legalized in New Jersey.

As the climax to a lengthy public hearing, the Democratic-controlled Assembly Judiciary Committee late Thursday afternoon voted 5 to 2 along party lines in favor of a bill to legalize same-sex marriage.

The senator said the full Senate will vote on Feb. 13.

"It's time for everyone, from the governor to the chattering observers, to stop talking about a marriage equality referendum in terms of 'if,'” Sweeney said “There will be no referendum on marriage equality in New Jersey, period."

Christie has vowed to veto the legislation when it reaches his desk. The governor argues that voters should decide the issue on the November ballot.