ROY ASHBURN
SENATOR,
18TH DISTRICT
August 27,2010
The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor of the State of California
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Governor Schwarzenegger,
I most sincerely request your veto of Senate Bill 906.
This measure deals with two very different aspects of same sex-marriage. One part
deals with religious freedoms and on this there is no disagreement. In fact, existing
state law and the United States Constitution already provide these protections.
The major change under this bill would be the creation of a new class of marriages. SB
906 seeks to redefine the definition of marriage by inserting the word "civil" before the
word "marriage" throughout state statue.
At the very time that the Courts are deciding equal marriage rights for same-sex
couples, this measure complicates the issue by creating "second class" marriages for
gay people. Judge Vaughn Walker has issued a decision that disallows discrimination
and unequal treatment for gay couples under the Constitution. While that decision is
temporarily stayed and subject to further judicial review, this bill will unnecessarily
complicate state law on the definition of marriage.
What I seek is full, equal marriage rights for all people, regardless of sexual orientation.
SB 906 is clearly less than full marriage equality and therefore, I respectfully ask for
your veto.
Thank you for your consideration.
ROY ASHBURN
Senator
is" District
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