Lost in all of the hubbub of the Iowa caucuses, some real news is emerging from the Evergreen State. Tomorrow, Washington Governor Christine Gregoire is expected to announce that she will come out in support of marriage equality in the State, giving a boost to the legislation being proposed by State Senator Ed Murray.
Gov. Chris Gregoire’s office sent out a brief press release this afternoon announcing that she’s holding a press conference tomorrow to “address the issue of marriage equality.” And the Seattle Times is reporting this afternoon that sources say Gregoire will come out in favor of gay marriage legislation. Sources tell us the same. From Publicola
The Governor's support will likely give a new boost to the legislation being introduced in the short legislative session that begins early this month in Washington. It is rumored that the votes are there in the State House, but not in the State Senate. While Democrats control the chamber, a self-described "Roadkill Caucus" generally has had its way in blocking or passing legislation during the 2010 session.
The following state legislators are listed as members of the Roadkill Caucus of conservative corporate Democrats on the group’s Facebook page:
SENATORS Steve Hobbs (founder), Brian Hatfield, Jim Kastama, Derek Kilmer, Mary Margaret Haugen, and Paull Shin.
It is expected that the necessary 2-3 votes to pass legislation ending discrimination in the State will come from this block of Democrats.
Regardless of the votes in the legislature, marriage equality is likely to be on the State's 2012 ballot - either as an initiative supporting marriage equality or as a referendum attempting to overturn the law.
Please support Washington United for Marriage or go to their website http://washingtonunitedformarriage.org/ to show your support for marriage equality.