Newly elected New York Governor Eliot Spitzer spent some political capital the other day when it was announced that he plans to introduce a gay marriage bill soon. Spitzer, a Democrat who won in a landslide, campaigned last year on a promise to introduce a same-sex marriage bill in that state's legislature. Now he is acting on that pledge and while it isn't likely that such a bill would be approved before the end of the legislative session in June, the fact that a governor is proposing such legislation is a major step forward.
Contrast Spitzer with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who also coasted to victory in his re-election last November after remaking himself into a more moderate politician by scoring big points after signing landmark environmental and other legislation. Schwarzenegger had pledged to put partisan politics behind him during his State of the State speech a few months ago; but when regarding equal rights for same-sex couples, Schwarzenegger can't see past the social conservatives and their hatred. Once again, Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) has introduced his gender-neutral marriage bill and this time, Schwarzenegger has already announced – twice – that he will veto it. As he did last year with a bill that would include LGBT people in history textbooks, our governor made his decision and publicized it before the bill landed on his desk. That's no way to govern.
New York LGBT activists are mindful of the fact that there probably won't be a marriage bill passed out of their legislature this year. But after years of inaction under former Republican Governor George Pataki, there is at least some movement, as Gary Parker of Greater Voices, a coalition of LGBT political clubs, told the New York Times. "The fact that there is discussion is progress," he said.
Here in California, Schwarzenegger doesn't seem to be interested in the discussion. And that's too bad. As we report this week, there was a community meeting to discuss how same-sex registered domestic partners will comply with the new law that requires those couples to file state income tax returns jointly, beginning next year. One of the conclusions that came out of that meeting was the fact that it would be a lot easier on everyone – the couples and state tax officials – if we had marriage equality.
We wish that our governor would maintain an open mind on pending legislation, and allow the process to move forward.
It's an interesting comparison. In New York, the governor favors marriage equality and it's the legislature that has been dragging its feet, even with a Democratic-controlled Assembly (the Senate is controlled by the Republicans). In California, our legislature has passed the marriage bill once and is likely to do so again, yet it's our governor who seemingly would let social conservatives define his legacy not as someone poised to end discrimination, but as someone who's content to stay on the sidelines during what arguably could be the greatest fight for equality since the civil rights era.
Schwarzenegger has been known to change his mind – we hope that happens when the marriage bill reaches his desk.