Join us at the Vermont Statehouse on Thursday, April 2nd at Noon.

Help us thank Governor Jim Douglas for his support for marriage, and visit your Representatives.

The Democrat Legislative leadership continues their reckless Gay Marriage Express on the fast track:

1. What we can expect over the next two weeks:

The House Judiciary Committee will approve the Same-sex marriage bill and pass it to the House, probably today or Tuesday, March 31, recommending approval.

The full House will vote on the bill Thursday or Friday, April 2-3, passing the bill.  (Stay tuned for further announcements.)

Traditionally the Governor will ask for the bill to act upon it, and in this case, he has promised to veto it. The governor must ask for the bill at least three days before the end of the session. The Governor believes this is a distraction, so he may ask for the bill immediately. Given the current fast track mentality, Senate Pro-Tem Peter Shumlin could seriously breach protocol and send Governor Douglas the bill immediately. The Governor is obligated to act on the bill within five days (not counting Sunday). Please, stay tuned.

The House and Senate will try to override the Governor's veto, but the timing of this is unknown. They can call a veto re-vote anytime until the last three days of the session, which is due to end May 15^th. Political trickery will almost certainly be employed. The veto vote could be the week of April 6^th!   Stay tuned! 

2. What Does the Veto Vote Mean?

The Governor's promised veto does not guarantee victory for traditional marriage. While Governor Douglas lifted our morale and galvanized legislative opposition against the same-sex marriage bill, supporters for same-sex marriage have strong majorities in the Legislature.

It takes a 2/3 House majority to override a veto. When the House votes to override, if the vote is 100-50, the veto is overridden and same-sex marriage becomes law. If the vote is 99-51 or less, the veto is sustained, and same-sex marriage is defeated for now. The estimated count is very close.

The first House vote on the bill not the veto, later this week, (Thus-Fri, April 2-3) is critical in assessing what the override vote will be. Some legislators may well change their position in the two votes, trying to placate their opposing constituencies.

 There is a ferocious lobbying effort underway (17 paid lobbyists employed by Freedom to Marry, no doubt financed from out-of-state) trying to pave the way for the same-sex marriage bill, but selective legislative district phone polling by GOP and private sources indicates broad support (60-70%) against same-sex marriage in this session.

3. What to Do!

Continue to call or write your representatives. This weekend is vital and critical. Again, get your friends, neighbors, family, and church family to make these calls.  Visit the website of Vermont Marriage Advisory Council (VMAC), www.vtmarriage.org to get informed about what’s at stake, and visit Vermont Renewal for legislative contact information (www.vermontrenewal.org), or call Vermont Renewal at 802-775-6247.

This coming week, call the Statehouse Sergeant-at-Arms, 800-322-5616, and ask him to relay your message directly to your legislator. They will send a note directly to your legislator.

Plan to Visit the State House in the next few days before the votes, speak directly to your Representative, remind them to look at Steve Cable's testimony before the House Judiciary Committee (placed in their Statehouse mail boxes on Monday and Tuesday before they vote, and respectfully ask them to vote no, if just for the reason of the failed speedy process. They can take it up next year.   

Call Governor Douglas 802-828-333 or 800-649-6825, and thank him for vetoing the bill.

Plan to jam the Statehouse in Montpelier this week on Thursday at noon, and also again just before the veto override vote.

4. That's a lot to do, but remember there's a lot at stake. We can do it. Marriage is the social cornerstone of our civilization. It doesn't need to be changed; it needs to be defended. Every single child deserves a marriage standard that connects them to their own mom and dad.

Be Brave, Stay Motivated, and Act Now!

Vermont Renewal Action Team