N.J. Senate to vote Thursday on same-sex marriage and giving undocumented immigrants in-state tuition
Wednesday, 06 January 2010 13:28

The controversial same-sex marriage bill (S-1967) will be the major legislation considered by the state Senate when it convenes for a Voting session on Thursday.

"Tomorrow's vote will determine whether tens of thousands of New Jerseyans are able to live in peace and happiness, the same way that other New Jerseyans have always been permitted to live their lives," said Sen. Loretta Weinberg ( D-Bergen), a prime sponsor of the bill. "This vote is bigger than party, and it's bigger than politics."

"This vote is about the rights of gay couples from whom we heard heart-wrenching stories of pain inflicted, unknowingly and knowingly, as a result of our law which fails to secure for them the rights of marriage, in its import and in its application," said Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union), the other prime sponsor.. "To guarantee these couples those rights, as required by the Constitution of the State of New Jersey, and to relieve them of the fear and pain from being denied those rights, I urge my fellow lawmakers to vote yes for marriage equality."

Weinberg and Lesniak are urging Senate colleagues to support the measure but it is possible it will not receive the 21 votes needed for passage.

The Senate will also vote on (S-1036), which would allow certain undocumented immigrants to qualify for in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities.

The upper house will also consider giving final legislative approval to (S-293, a measure which would increase the penalties for the crime of jury tampering.

— TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/state/ ... te-tuition