Schwarzenegger Veto Puts Politics Over People
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently vetoed legislation that would have extended equal marriage rights and responsibilities to all Californians.
“Governor Schwarzenegger’s veto put politics over people today,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “The governor’s veto delays equal treatment under the law for thousands of California families.”
By a 41-35 vote, the California Assembly passed A.B. 849, the Civil Marriage and Religious Freedom Protection Act, on Sept. 6, 2005. The California Senate passed the measure on Sept. 1 by a 21-15 vote. The legislation was authored by Assembly member Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, and sponsored by Equality California, and had marked the first time that a marriage equality bill has passed a state legislature.