December 28th, 2011 by WCBC Radio
While the state’s projected $1.1 billion structural deficit will clearly be at the top of the agenda’s of most Maryland’s lawmakers when the 2012 General Assembly opens next month- the controversial gay marriage issue is once again expected to generate more than a little debate. A civil union bill came close to passing last year, but ultimately did not have the necessary votes. Going into this session however, the bill has the full weight of the governor’s office behind it. Governor Martin O’Malley has spent much of this past year encouraging support for a bill that would authorize same-sex marriage in the state- and says he will be one of his administrations agenda items. The governor has also put relatively equal emphasis on his desires to not only establish “marriage equality” in the state, but to also “protect religious freedom. Opponents have largely offered religious objects to gay marriage, but the governor says his bill will include language that would exempt religious organizations from having to perform gay-marriage ceremonies or accommodate gay couples…
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