Thursday, July 20, 2006

Massachusetts House Overrides Veto, Approves Commission of Gay & Lesbian Youth

From Mass Resistance (edited for our readers) - at stake today, Massachusetts' biggest nightmare: a new official Commission for Gay and Lesbian Youth...
  • independent of all outside control
  • selected by specifically named homosexual groups
  • with power to influence all other state agencies
  • which can raise and spend its own money in addition to the millions it will get.
Vetoed by Governor Romney, the bill was up for an override vote today.

Rep. Philip Travis (DEMOCRAT-Rehoboth) gave a very reasoned argument against the commission. Immediately afterward, Rep. Cheryl Coakley-Rivera (D-Springfield) came to the podium, literally screaming at Travis, calling him a bigot and a hater, and said that as a lesbian she knows better than anyone else the need for this commission. It was an angry, emotional rant. Travis got back up and said he felt she was out of order making personal remarks.
To overide the veto, our opponents needed a 2/3 majority. The initial vote was 99-52 -- we had won.

Rep. Liz Malia (D-Boston), a self-identified lesbian, moved for a reconsideration vote. (This tactic might sound familiar to folks in Crystal Lake, IL...)

Cutting to the chase: The second vote was 104-44 -- we lost.

Here are the reps who supported us the first time, then caved in.

Rep. David Flynn - simply didn't vote the second time.
Rep. Thomas Kennedy - switched his vote.
Rep. Joyce Spiliotis - switched her vote.
Rep. Jennifer Callahan - switched her vote.
Rep. Robert Koczera - switched his vote.
Rep. Eugene O'Flaherty - didn't vote the second time.
Rep. Stephen Tobin - switched his vote.
Rep. James Welch - switched his vote.
Rep. Angelo Scaccia - didn't vote the second time.

How many vulnerable children will be seduced by the class materials, programs, and other propaganda this unaccountable committee will produce?

Recommended Action: Let these people know what you think of their unconscionable second vote.