Following last month's State Supreme Court ruling, same-sex couples in California can receive marriage licenses beginning Monday at 5pm. A UCLA study estimates the state could gain a much needed economic windfall of $684 million from a surge of in- and out-of-state couples marrying in California. But the fight is not over yet. Butte and Kern counties said they would halt all marriages in their counties citing budgetary constraints. Critics say the move is a ploy to avoid marrying gay couples. Also, a ballot initiative to amend the state constitution and ban same-sex marriages was certified for the November ballot. If the measure passes, the status of same-sex marriages in the state could be jeopardized once again. But in a major shift in public opinion, a recent poll suggests that the majority of Californians now favor extending marriage rights to gay couples.
With:
Matthew Bajko.
Airdate: June 13, 2008.
Additional Resources
Same-sex weddings expected to boost state's economy
Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee
California counties expect busy week for same-sex marriages
Jean-Paul Renaud, Los Angeles Times
