After the New Jersey civil unions bill passed both chambers last Thursday, New Jersey's Governor, Gov. Jon Corzine, said today that he is concerned about some of the aspects of the new civil unions bill that was expected to be signed this week. He is concerned, but not in a negative way.

Some mayors have expressed that they will not recognize civil unions. Like laws involving marriage mayors are not obligated to conduct civil union ceremonies. Corzine said he is concerned some mayors will use the provision to refuse to unite gay couples.

Legal experts have told the governor that although mayors can refuse to perform ceremonies if they conduct marriages but refuse civil unions they could be prosecuted under the state's human rights law. Gov. Corzine Monday said he still has concerns.

Corzine said Monday he expected that review to be completed by Thursday. It offers couples who register most state benefits and protections currently available to opposite-sex couples, including the right to health insurance through a partner's employer. BUT it does not provide any of the benefits of marriage under federal law, and it still could cost same-sex couples more than marriage couples for health insurance.

The bill also contains a provision establishing a commission that will investigate how civil unions fall short of marriage and report back to the legislature in six months.

If the New Jersey Legislature would have passed marriage equality in the first place, the state wouldn't need to waste so much time and money "investigating" how civil unions fall short of marriage.

Labels: civil union, marriage, new jersey

This entry was posted on Monday, December 18, 2006 at 9:42 PM. Want to discuss? Leave a comment below.