| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010 8:50 am |
ADVERTISEMENT |
|||||||||
 |
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
Local News 
|
|||||||||
Delay for same-sex marriage opponents OLYMPIA -- Those trying to block an expansion of rights for same-sex domestic partners face long odds in their effort.And Monday, the odds worsened. Opponents of legislation granting same-sex domestic partners the same benefits as married couples are mounting a referendum to repeal it. They filed paperwork May 4 thinking they would be able to print petitions and gather signatures once Gov. Chris Gregoire signs the bill next week. They have only until July 25 to turn in signatures of 120,577 valid voters to make the Nov. 3 ballot. On Monday, the Attorney General's office wrenched the schedule. Deputy Solicitor General James Pharris notified Secretary of State Sam Reed that while he is preparing the ballot title and ballot summary for the petitions, he will not issue them unless and until the governor acts on the legislation as specified in the state constitution. He said it could be finished within a day of the bill's signing now set for next Monday. Then, by state law, a five-day period begins in which the title and summary can be challenged in court by anyone. This means referendum organizers could start getting signatures as soon as May 19 if no one appeals. Or, it could be after Memorial Day if a challenge is made. Larry Stickney of Arlington, the president of Washington Values Alliance who filed the paperwork, said in an e-mail Tuesday it's another in a string of hurdles that began with Gregoire deciding to wait until the last possible day to sign the bill. "The Referendum 71 effort will carry forward in spite of the governor's stalling tactics," he said. "We are not surprised by her inaction as we have not been expecting any cooperation from her office from the outset." Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com. |
- A revolutionary 747
- Fire breaks out at Everett car dealer
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries
- A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood
- Snohomish County's bargain housing won't last
- Boeing's 747-8 takes off after weather delay
- Plan for I-5 closures this week
- A new bowling alley for Monroe?
- Lake Stevens man homeless after fire
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged
- Vote on school levies by Tuesday
(9) - A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood (8)
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries (6)
- Toyota has powerful D.C. friends (5)
- Everett police officers cleared in 2008 shooting death (5)
- 1949 travel aid shows how few places blacks were welcome in Washington (4)
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged (3)
- Ex-Boeing engineer jailed for espionage (2)
- Cigarette causes life-threatening burns (2)
- ORCA a whale of an improvement for Community Transit (2)
- Edmonds educator, famous announcer dies
- Mill Creek to appeal ruling on annexation
- Through the air, with the greatest of ease
- E-W thriving under new coach
- The path to citizenship
- EUUC puts on ‘Pants & Shoes’
- Wolfpack wins the ‘Battle'
- Lynnwood’s annexation plans OK’d
- Arlington's Cascade Valley Hospital celebrates expansion, national award and 100 years of service
- Business Licences Feb. 2010
- Technology tips for launching your own business
- Business Events Feb. 2010
- Tech Talk: No excuse today for going without a Web site
- State already raising fees and rates that restrict business growth
- Some legislators again targeting people’s initiative petition rights
|
 
|
|
|
|
| TODAY'S TOP JOBS |
| View All Top Jobs |
| Top Cars |
|
| Top Homes |
|
|
ADVERTISEMENT |
|
|
|Contact Us
|Advertiser Services
|Home Delivery
|Newsstand Locations
|Classifieds
|Feedback
|About the Company
|Work@the Herald
|Site Map |
|
COMMENTS | Be the first to comment
Log in or register to post a new comment.
To read other terms and conditions, click here