The Maryland State Senate delayed debate on the same-sex marriage bill that cleared the Judiciary Proceedings Committee yesterday until Thursday morning, but a final vote is still expected by Friday. [...more]
With a 7-4 vote, the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee Tuesday afternoon sent the bill allowing same-sex marriage to the full Senate, setting the stage for its full passage by the end of the week. [...more]
Republicans are again trying to curb public benefits for illegal immigrants, as they have repeatedly in past years, against the continued opposition of social service groups. [...more]
Circuit Court Judge Ronald Silkworth ruled Friday that a referendum to challenge a new law granting in-state tuition rates to illegal immigrants can go forward on this November’s ballot. The attorney for Casa de Maryland said he will appeal, but the petition leader said the appeals court will uphold the judge's ruling, and the petition will be on the November ballot. [...more]
In this podcast by reporter Duane Keenan, we hear reactions to the passage of the same-sex marriage bill in the House of Delegates from legislators Luke Clippinger, Heather Mizeur, Pat McDonough, Justin Ready, Michael Smigiel and Speaker Michael Busch. [...more]
Same-sex marriage passed the House of Delegates with a 72-67 vote Friday night, paving the way for a long battle to determine whether Maryland will be the nation’s eighth state allowing people of the same gender to wed. [...more]
After just over an hour of debate on Friday afternoon, the House same sex marriage bill was ready for a final vote, scheduled for Friday evening. Amid reports that 200 potential amendments to the polarizing legislation had been drafted, only five were actually offered during the afternoon session and only one passed. [...more]
Amendments and debate on the same-sex marriage bill in the House of Delegates were postponed until Friday to give delegates more time to consider amendments. But not before an amendment to delay the implementation date of the bill to Jan. 1, 2013 was added by voice vote. [...more]
Opponents of same-sex marriage are circulating a video of Attorney General Doug Gansler addressing a Equality Maryland event five months ago, suggesting that it “reveals great reason for suspicion regarding the referendum process” likely to occur if the law passes.In the video, Gansler says that even if the same-sex marriage law is enacted, and then voters reject it, new judges appointed by Gov. Martin O’Malley will ultimately rule Maryland’s one man-one woman marriage law unconstitutional. [...more]
Duane Keenan talked to several delegates on Wednesday about Thursday’s same-sex marriage debate on the floor of the House of Delegates. Listen to his podcast here. [...more]
