This week the NJ legislature began it’s new session.  Among the most important issues for New Jersey today:  Uneployment well above the national average, failing inner-city schools, astronomical property tax rates, Vinny leaving the Jersey Shore… All legitimate concerns say the NJ Senate President Steve Sweeney but what New Jersey needs to focus on now is… gay marriage?

Sweeney said he wants the bill to be sent to committees for vetting “right away” and expects the measure be ready for full legislative votes by March.

This is another political stunt by the Democrats to take the spotlight off of Governor Christie’s prioritization to tackle the real problems New Jersey faces.

Let’s not forget to mention that this bill came up for a vote during the Jon Corzine lame duck session, and failed.  And if the Democrats had a brief moment of amnesia, the Governor has repeatedly vowed to veto any such legislation [video]. In 2006, the NJ Supreme Court “directed the state to provide same-sex couples with marriage rights or their equivalent” and the legislature answered with a civil union bill.  Equal rights, right? Now, in 2012, the LGBT lobby wants to take their quest for “equal rights” to redefine the term marriage. Setting aside my deep disagreement with this idea for a moment.  Why are 7 judges and a few dozen legislators making decisions to remove a centuries old institution?  Shouldn’t this be decided by the voters?

Governor Christie agrees.  In 2009 after his election he said:

If societal change like that is to occur. It has to be approved by the voters, by the people of this state. Not by 7 men or women in black robes and certainly not by 120 people in the state legislature.  It should have to be done, if its going to be done, it has to be done by the voters.  Not by elected or appointed people.

Before allowing the Democratic leadership to whip their caucus into voting on such a ”significant, historic societal change” that they may not subscribe to, Governor Christie should announce once again, he will veto any legislation and that this should be put on a public referendum. Thirty-one other states have decided to let their citizens decide same sex marriage laws.  If New Jersey wants “marriage equality” then the people should do it the most democratic way possible. Until that happens, the legislature should be focusing on the real problems facing New Jersey.  Like will Vinny get over his anxiety and return to Seaside before the summer ends.

Crossposted at http://www.billmurphyblog.com