m******1
发帖数: 19713 | 1 Washington Marriage Bill Gets Another Vote, Corporate Boost
By Julie Bolcer
Jim Kastama x390 (fair) | ADVOCATE.COM
The marriage equality bill in the Washington senate is just one vote shy of
the 25 needed for passage following an announcement from Democratic senator
Jim Kastama, while businesses including Microsoft and Nike have also
announced their support for the measure.
Kastama, a conservative Democrat from Puyallup south of Seattle, announced
his decision at a news conference Thursday afternoon. He said his
constituents expected him to be “fiercely independent,” although he
believed some voters would never approve of his decision.
"Unlike some of my colleagues in liberal districts, I will not return home
to cheers and handshakes," said Kastama, according to the Seattle Times. "I
represent the district I was raised in. My wife and I purchased and live in
the same house I grew up in and we have raised our family there. My district
has known me my whole life and for 16 years has entrusted me to be a
fiercely independent legislator. The people of my district are generous and
decent, but I also know that there are childhood friends who will never
forgive me for this vote."
The Kastama announcement brings the number of senate votes for the bill
introduced last week to 24, including two Republicans. Five lawmakers
including two Republicans remain undecided, and Governor Christine Gregoire
and advocates continue to lobby them. The governor discussed her efforts and
her evolution on marriage equality in an interview with The Advocate.
Meanwhile, the National Organization for Marriage promised this week to
spend $250,000 to defeat any Republicans who vote for the bill, a reprise of
threats made in states including New York and Maryland. Fund-raising
reports from New York show that the four Republican senators who voted for
the bill raised significant amounts of money from gay rights supporters in
the six months after the June vote.
Marriage equality in Washington also received a key nod from business giants
connected to the state on Thursday. The Associated Press reports that
Microsoft, Nike and four other corporations sent a letter to Governor
Gregoire expressing their support. Microsoft general counsel Brad Smith said
in a company blog post that the bill would “be good for our business and
good for the state's economy." | m******1
发帖数: 19713 | 2 Meanwhile, the National Organization for Marriage promised this week to
spend $250,000 to defeat any Republicans who vote for the bill, a reprise of
threats made in states including New York and Maryland. Fund-raising
reports from New York show that the four Republican senators who voted for
the bill raised significant amounts of money from gay rights supporters in
the six months after the June vote. | k*****e
发帖数: 22013 | 3 振奋！
of
senator
【在 m******1 的大作中提到】
: Meanwhile, the National Organization for Marriage promised this week to
: spend $250,000 to defeat any Republicans who vote for the bill, a reprise of
: threats made in states including New York and Maryland. Fund-raising
: reports from New York show that the four Republican senators who voted for
: the bill raised significant amounts of money from gay rights supporters in
: the six months after the June vote.
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