NM: Senate Committee Kills Domestic Partnership Bill

A bill that would have allowed Domestic Partnerships providing basic legal protections and recognition of same-sex couple relationships and their families under New Mexico law was tabled by a 7 to 4 vote during a New Mexico Senate Finance Committee hearing this evening, effectively killing the bill for this legislative session.

While the domestic partnerships bill had the strong backing of New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, for nearly three weeks fierce debate has raged over the legislation. Several Republican lawmakers said that if the bill passed it would almost certainly lead to a lawsuit to bring same-sex marriage to the state.

The legislation would have establish that two unmarried people who live together as a committed couple are entitled to receive the same “rights and responsibilities” under state law as a married couple. Under the bill, both straight and gay couples could become domestic partners by filling out paperwork and paying a minimal fee to a county clerk.

Full Story from Lez Get Real
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NM: Governor Richardson Asks for Swift Action on Domestic Partner Bill

Governor Richardson wants swift action on his domestic partners bill urging the state senate not to tie it up in committees. Tuesday night, both senate opponents and some supporters of the bill talked about pulling the bill out of committee for a vote on the senate floor, as early as Thursday. Veteran lawmakers say if that happens, the bill won't pass.

The senate defeated the bill last year by eight votes and vote counters don't expect much change, if any. Senate Judiciary Chairman Cisco McSorley, a strong supporter of the bill, delayed Wednesday’s hearing until Friday. Insiders say a committee majority would vote to kill the bill, which led the governor’s push to introduce the bill for a full senate vote.

"It's going to be a close vote,” predicts Gov. Richardson. “I remain positive and optimistic, but I just think it shouldn't get bogged down in a committee…the full senate should get a chance to vote on it."

Full Story from KOB.com
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NM: Update On Domestic Partnership Bill

The outcome of Tuesday’s hearing for domestic partnerships at the State Capitol could mean more hurdles for supporters of the bill. The bill passed through Tuesday’s committees but also got assigned another hearing in front of the senate finance committee. A third committee assignment generally means a bill is on its way to die, especially during a 30 day session.

But that didn’t stop New Mexicans from attending Tuesday’s hearing; supporters and opponents packed the senate gallery.

For hours the senate committee heard testimony from both sides; those in favor defended their civil rights while opponents argued the bill was a gateway to gay marriage. Lawmakers also took turns dissecting parts of the 800 page bill that would offer most of the same rights of marriage to people in domestic partnerships.

Full Story from KOB.com
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NM: 2011 Governor Likely to Veto Domestic Partnerships if Not Passed This Year

As a measure to give domestic partners many of the rights and privileges as married couples inches through the Legislature, supporters hope it becomes law this year - when Gov. Bill Richardson has said he will sign it. That's because New Mexico next year could have a governor who would veto it.

According to a survey of the six gubernatorial candidates, only Lt. Gov. Diane Denish would sign the measure should lawmakers approve. "I have fought to eliminate discrimination of any kind throughout my career and I support the domestic-partnership bill," said Denish, the only Democrat in the race. "This bill is about treating New Mexicans equally under the law. That means having the ability to take family medical leave when someone is sick, extending health insurance to your family, and making sure children are protected when a parent dies."

All five Republican candidates said they would oppose the measure, and several of them on Tuesday criticized the idea that Richardson would ask lawmakers to consider the measure in a year with such a budget crunch. Several also said they see the measure as a stepping stone to gay marriage.

Full Story from the Las Cruces Sun-News
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NM: Domestic Partnership Supporters Rally in Santa Fe

Dozens of supporters gathered Monday at the New Mexico Capitol in support of a domestic partnership bill that has the backing of Gov. Bill Richardson but faces tough opposition from Republicans and conservative Democrats. The measure would give unmarried same-sex and opposite-sex couples the legal protections and benefits of married couples on issues ranging from medical decision-making to adoption and child support.

The crowd outside the Capitol erupted into cheers and many pumped their fists into the frigid air when bill sponsor Rep. Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, suggested that lawmakers pass the measure and prove New Mexico is a progressive state.

"It's time to end government discrimination of New Mexico citizens," she said. Some in the crowd carried signs that read "Fairness for All" and "Yes on SB183."

Full Story from the Almogordo Daily News
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NM: Domestic Partnership Bill Update

The battle in the Legislature over a bill to establish domestic-partner rights pits social advocates and lobbyists who normally are allied on a variety of issues against each other. Sen. Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, introduced Senate Bill 183 on Tuesday. As has been the case with previous domestic-partnership bills, it is backed by Gov. Bill Richardson.

Also working for the bill various left-leaning activists, civic organizations and churches. But opposing it are New Mexico's Roman Catholic bishops, who have stood alongside many of the domestic-partnership proponents in past Legislative fights to end the death penalty and cockfighting, increase minimum wage and to preserve funding for poverty programs.

The church's opposition last year — after years of staying neutral on the issue — was credited by many on both sides for defeating a domestic-partnership last year by a decisive vote in the Senate.

Full Story from CNJ Online
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NM: Domestic Partnership Bill May be Introduced in Senate Today

Supporters of domestic partnership rights said their massive 825 page bill could be introduced Monday in Santa Fe during the regular session. Todd McElroy of Equality New Mexico , an organization supporting the bill, said it will give unmarried couples, gay or straight, the same rights and benefits as married couples.

"Those are the property rights, rights of inheritance, medical decisions making, and those sorts of things that are automatically bestowed with a marriage license," McElroy said. Last year's domestic partnership bill , which died in the Senate, was only 11 pages.

McElroy said this year's bill has grown so much because it spells out the more than 300 rights given to married couples in the state.

Full Story from KRQE
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NM: Domestic Partnership Bill Likely to Fail Again This Session

Passing domestic partnerships in New Mexico was always considered an uphill climb leading into this year’s 30-day legislative session. With the state swimming in the red, many state lawmakers viewed fixing the budget as their first priority. Then there was the size of this year’s domestic partnerships bill, a whopping 825 pages, making it a tome likely to go unread by all but the most conscientious, and studious, lawmakers. It enumerates every right conferred to same-sex couples while avoiding any mention of “marriage.” Add those two factors to the small window – 30 days — state lawmakers have to reach a budget agreement to fix next year’s shortfall, variously estimated between $500 million to $900 million. And achieving success resembled a taxing, if not tortuous, path. Full Story from the NM Independent

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NM: Lawmaker to File Gay Marriage Ban Bill

After the dramatic February defeat of a proposed domestic partnership bill, a New Mexico senator is sponsoring a bill that would ban gay marriage in the state, the New Mexico Independent reported. Senator William Sharer, a Republican from Farmington, has pre-filed legislation that would define marriage as a heterosexual union in the New Mexico Constitution. The bill proposes adding the following text to the constitution: “Marriage in this state shall consist only of the union of one man and one woman.” Voter approval is needed to alter the state's constitution. Similar attempts in the last two sessions of the Legislature have died in committee. Full Story from On Top Magazine: http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=5030&MediaType=1&Category=26

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