Also Thursday, several major businesses in the region put their weight behind it, drawing plaudits from Gov. Chris Gregoire, who proposed the measure, and Sen. Ed Murray, chief sponsor of the bill. Murray also praised Kastama and said Microsoft, Nike, Vulcan, Inc., RealNetworks, Group Health Cooperative and Concur were among businesses supporting the measure.
I was away from the Capitol most of the day, but Kastama’s full statement is here.
Comments from Murray are here.
Gregoire’s comments are here.
Washington United for Marriage put out a statement that lists supporting businesses here.
UPDATE: Religious activists have urged their supporters to bring as many as 10,000 people to the Capitol to oppose the bill, and Pastor Joe Fuiten of Cedar Park Assembly of God in Bothell says the bill could subject churches discrimination lawsuits if they don’t perform weddings.
Murray and other drafters of same-sex marriage legislation have said they aim to leave churches alone, and this Seattle Weekly story talks about Fuiten’s objections and how Murray, Rep. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, and others intend to amend the bill.
Two Republicans – Sen. Cheryl Pflug of Maple Valley and Steve Litzow of Bellevue – also support the bill. Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, a conservative Democrat from Camano Island, is among remaining Democrats who has not announced a position and could be the pivotal 25th vote.
Haugen’s office issued a statement on Jan. 12 that said:
Haugen said she will spend the coming weeks hearing from constituents and will have no further comment on the issue until she has reached a final decision.
My news partner Jordan Schrader has a story in the works about South Sound lawmakers' split on the issue.
UPDATE to original Jan. 19 post corrects Pastor Joe Fuiten's affiliation.
