VIDEO: Hawaii governor vetoes civil union bill
July 8, 2010 | State News
July 8, 2010 – Honolulu, Hawaii
Video courtesy Office of the Governor
On Tuesday, Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle made her long awaited decision on House Bill 444, which would have legalized civil unions for couples in the state of Hawaii.
During the press conference, the governor said the decision was one of the hardest she has faced as governor of the Aloha State, and added that the choice should be made by the voters of Hawaii on election day.
The decision set off an eruption of passionate feelings on both sides of the issue. An emotional legislative session took up the issue – at times playing political hot potato with the matter in light of the looming election year – amidst rallies by supporters and opponents of the HB 444. When it appeared to have died at the Hawaii House of Representatives, the state was shocked when the bill was suddenly passed with little warning on the last day of the legislative session. The House suspended the rules on the bill and passed it with a majority, sending it to Governor Linda Lingle for approval.
The governor had not indicated whether or not she would veto the bill until this final moment.
The House of Representatives decided against holding a special session for the purposes of attempting a veto override.
On the same day, the governor also vetoed 32 bills that she says “would adversely impact Hawaii residents and businesses, would be detrimental to public policy and would hinder efforts to expand the economy and create jobs.”
I can’t wait to Veto her!
With an estimated 60-70% of the population against it, it’s no wonder she vetoed it.
Despite the large number of transplant gay/lesbians on the Big Island, remember that the majority population is very religious.
Plus, everyone always says “Don’t move here and try to change things.”
Wow, this Governor needs to go. Against pot being legal, calling the dispensaries in California “pot stores” of course their pot stores! most people that use them are those who like to smoke pot for pleasure. Let’s get real here, Vetoing the civil union bill is a slap in the face to a lot of Americans, This is the land of the free, where we have the right to life , liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This is not a country where the majority rules, that is a misconception. suppose the majority of the population decided that it should be against the law to go to church on Sunday, how fair would that be? pot smokers and gays are discriminated against the same as blacks where in the past just because of there skin color. I personally would like religion to be done away with, it causes wars, discrimination, hatred, and many other ill effects, but It is important to some people and as long as it does not bring direct harm to me religion should be allowed to exist legally, that is part of being an American.and I served in the Military to preserve that kind of freedom. Those against pot I believe mostly are those who have never smoked it and believe the propaganda the government put out in the 60′s about it, like the movie “Reefer Madness” and as for gays it is simply religion that is opposed to it.