NJ Gov Says He'd Veto Gay Marriage Bill [View all]

[maddezmom]

By ANGELA DELLI SANTI and SAMANTHA HENRY Associated Press

TRENTON, N.J. January 24, 2012 (AP)
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Tuesday he'd veto a gay marriage bill if it reaches his desk, threatening to upend Democrats' efforts to push through the Legislature a bill legalizing the same-sex unions.

Christie told a town hall audience in Bridgewater that an issue of such magnitude deserves to be voted on by residents, and he urged Republican lawmakers to support a constitutional amendment that would appear on a statewide ballot. The Democratic Senate president swiftly condemned that idea, saying civil rights issues should not be subject to a vote.

"This is a huge societal change ... it needs a lot of consideration," the first-term Republican governor said during the event at a Jewish community center. "There are very passionate people on both sides, so let's have at it. Let them make their opinions known and I'll make mine known."

more:http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/nj-gov-hed-veto-gay-marriage-bill-15430378