MD Conservatives Still Trying on Marriage

Supporters of a constitutional marriage amendment in Maryland haven't given up in their effort to place such a proposal on the ballot this year. Anthony O'Donnell, a Republican member of the state House of Delegates, has introduced an amendment that bans "gay marriage" but leaves the issue of civil unions untouched.

A previous attempt at debating the amendment on the floor was blocked by House Speaker Michael Busch, a Democrat. It also failed in committee, which is considerably more liberal than the full body.

"This is a very different approach," O'Donnell said, according to the Baltimore Sun.

Supporters of the amendment hope that the absence of language pertaining to civil unions will make it easier to pass.

A Maryland state judge Jan. 20 struck down the state's marriage laws and ordered "gay marriage" to be legalized. The ruling is being appealed.

This year's race for Maryland's governor could have a significant impact on the outcome of a "gay marriage" case making its way through state court. Three of the seven justices on the Court of Appeals are nearing mandatory retirement (70), and their replacements could be the deciding votes in the marriage case, The Washington Post reported.

Two of the judges, Alan M. Wilner and Dale R. Cathell, will hear their last cases by January and July of 2007, respectively, The Post said. Additionally, another judge, Irma S. Raker, will hear her final case in 2008. The Court of Appeals is Maryland's highest court, and the governor fills any open seats.

According to The Post, Republican Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich, who is running for re-election, told a radio station in February, "[P]eople need to understand that ... a particular philosophical orientation is going to be reflected in a governor's judicial selection." He added: "My judges certainly reflect my philosophical orientation." Ehrlich supports a marriage amendment to the Maryland Constitution. [BP]

[For more information about the national debate over "gay marriage," visit www.bpnews.net/samesexmarriage.]