Another Set Back for NJ Same-Sex Bill

New York, NY —

In a setback for same-sex marriage in New Jersey, a bill to legalize it will not get an Assembly hearing on Monday. WNYC's Bob Hennelly has this update.

REPORTER: In a statement released on New Year's Eve, outgoing Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts said the marathon public hearing on the bill, held in early December by the Senate Judiciary Committee, was sufficient. That committee narrowly approved the marriage equality measure.

Roberts did say that if the full Senate passes the controversial bill, he'll allow an up-or-down vote on it by the full Assembly before the end of the current session. That's when Governor Corzine leaves office, and he's pledged to sign the bill.

But the bill's backers in the Senate had pushed for an Assembly hearing because they don't think the measure has the votes in the Senate. They'd hoped to buy time and increase the momentum for its approval.

But now Roberts has thrown the ball back into the Senate's court. Gay Marriage supporters are planning a Monday rally in Trenton. For WNYC I am Bob Hennelly.