California’s economy keeps sinking as their GOP governor threatens to increase the state’s sales tax. According to the New York Times, the vote to constitutionalize bigotry will further worsen California’s economic woes as the booming marriage industry deflates on the heels of Tuesday’s vote.
California, which was seen as "the vanguard of gay-friendly destinations," is already feeling the impact. The law took effect immediately, and businesses that had watched sales grow as a result of same sex weddings are now suffering from the fallout:
In Palm Springs, another gay-friendly city, Mayor Steve Pougnet said he had performed 115 same-sex weddings since June, when such ceremonies began, some of which had as many as 180 guests. By contrast, this week the city has canceled eight planned ceremonies.
Until Tuesday, gay couples considered California a premier destination. As a result, cottage industries boomed. One analyst predicts the loss associated with the constitutional ban will reach $60,000,000 over three years. The analyst did not measure the damage done to California’s reputation.
San Francisco’s mayor, Gavin Newsome, lamented that California’s loss is Massachusetts’ gain. Mitt Romney’s former stomping grounds, along with Connecticut, still allows same sex marriages. Hopefully, these states will refrain from the enshrining homophobia into their laws.