California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger made an announcement Wednesday that he would veto the gay marriage bill. The statement was issued only one day after the State Assembly had passed the controversial measure with the vote of 41-35 with 4 abstentions.
Margita Thompson, Schwarzenegger's press secretary, addressed in Sacramento Wednesday evening that the Legislature have trampled over Proposition 22, an initiative passed by overwhelming popularity in 2000 which banned same-sex marriage. "We cannot have a system where the people vote and the Legislature derails the vote," she said.
Thompson told the press that "out of respect for the will of the people" the governor would veto the bill,
Thompson also commented that there is no hurry to rush into decision on the bill since it has not reached the governor’s desk. She assured that the bill would be handled the same way as any other bill sent to the governor’s desk.
Randy Thomasson, the president of Campaign for Children and Families, commented on Tuesday after the the bill was passed that the governor "can't afford to sign the gay marriage license bill."
"He'll actually become a hero to the majority of Californians when he vetoes it," said Thomasson.
