The governor has talked of trying to heal some of the serious rifts that have erupted. Opponents complain that the Legislature has refused to listen to their position by declining to adopt a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Adoption of such an amendment to the Vermont Constitution would be the only avenue available under state law to give voters a chance to weigh in on the question of benefits for same-sex couples. The Legislature wrote a law that is separate and distinct from the marriage statutes but which parallels it. Lawmakers said that was in keeping with the Supreme Court's ruling that gay and lesbian couples were being unconstitutionally denied marriage benefits.
Opponents say the law is so close to marriage that there is no practical difference.
They have promised to make their anger known at the polls in November. That gives state agencies time to write administrative rules to implement those provisions. The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.