Maryland is poised to become ground zero for cultural issues next year, with a voter referendum set to determine tuition rates for illegal immigrants and another potentially on the way to decide whether same-sex couples can marry in the state.
With the announcement that Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley will sponsor a same-sex marriage bill next year, opponents are already gearing up for a voter challenge to what nearly became law this year.
"I believe it has a good chance of passing," acknowledged Del. Pat McDonough, R-Baltimore County, a vocal opponent of same-sex matrimony. "If if does pass, it'll definitely end up in a voter referendum. Conservatives and religious people against gay marriage are going to show up to vote en masse."
Such a push would mirror a successful campaign by opponents of in-state tuition for illegal immigrants, who gathered more than 100,000 signatures against the controversial legislation -- more than double the total needed to land the issue on the ballot in 2012.
However, some say it would be unwise to view the tuition debate as a precursor to efforts to block gay marriage, assuming it is approved by the General Assembly next year.
Put same sex marriage on the ballet for all of Maryland to decide, it will fail like it has in every other state that let the people decide. Normal people don't belive in letting marriage be redefined as a joining of two people of the same sex. It is an obama-nation to allow it!
ReplyDeleteToday is one of the happiest days of my life--after 20+ years of living in Salisbury and watching it deteriorate into one big rental slumland we are going to MOVE!!!! Maryland sucks and I can't wait to get out of this liberal cesspool! Hooray!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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