Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
On the first day that same-sex couples can marry in New Jersey as a result of last week's state Supreme Court ruling, Governor Chirs Christie has decided to drop his appeal before the state's high court. The New York Times reports, Christie Drops Appeal of Gay Marriage Ruling in New Jersey:
Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey announced on Monday that he would drop his legal challenge to same-sex marriage, hours after gay couples started exchanging vows in midnight ceremonies across the state.
Mr. Christie’s withdrawal of his appeal to the court decision that
allowed the marriages came on the heels of a ruling by the State Supreme
Court on Friday that rejected his attempt to block the marriages until
the appeal was resolved. His decision effectively removed the last
hurdle to making same-sex marriage legal in New Jersey.
“Although the governor strongly disagrees with the court substituting
its judgment for the constitutional process of the elected branches or a
vote of the people, the court has now spoken clearly as to their view
of the New Jersey Constitution and, therefore, same-sex marriage is the
law,” a spokesman for Mr. Christie said in a note to reporters on Monday
morning. “The governor will do his constitutional duty and ensure his
administration enforces the law as dictated by the New Jersey Supreme
Court.”
At 12:01 a.m., New Jersey joined 13 other states and the District of Columbia in allowing gay couples to marry.
* * *
The governor, in consultation with his attorney general and chief
counsel, concluded it would be what one aide called “a fool’s errand” to
continue in the face of almost certain failure.
The New Mexico Supreme Court will hear arguments on
October 23 in a case which may determine the right to marry for same-sex
couples in the state.
A special session in the Hawaii Legislature
to move forward a bill that would legalize gay marriage is scheduled to
begin October 28.
