I think we are getting thawed out finally, but the snow is going over our mailbox. It's nice out now, but is suppose to rain later this week. That will be great with all the snow we have now. One thing is clear. I don't think we will have to worry about a drought next summer.

There are a couple of bills coming up before the state House of Representatives that apply to same-sex marriage. One is for same-sex marriage and one is against. I've included the text of the bills:

Committee Bill No. 5356: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: Only the union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state. Any other relationship shall not be recognized as a marriage or its legal equivalent, nor shall it receive the benefits or incidents exclusive to marriage from this state. Statement of Purpose: To provide that only a union between a man and a woman shall be a marriage under state law and receive the associated rights and benefits.
Co-Sponsors: (feel free to let them know what you think of this bill)
Rep. Rowe, 123rd Dist.
Sen. Win Smith, 14th Dist.
Rep. Alfred Adinolfi, 103rd Dist.
Rep. Marilyn Giuliano, 23rd Dist.
Rep. Arthur J. O'Neill, 69th Dist.
Rep. Richard F. Ferrari, 62nd Dist.
Rep. William A. Hamzy, 78th Dist.
Rep. Selim G. Noujaim, 74th Dist.

AN ACT CONCERNING SAME SEX MARRIAGE - H.B. No. 6389: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: No license may be issued by the registrar until both persons have appeared before the registrar and made application for a license. The registrar may issue a license to any two persons, otherwise eligible under this chapter, regardless of the sex of such persons. The license shall be dated, signed and sworn to by each applicant and shall state each applicant's name, age, race, birthplace, residence, whether single, widowed or divorced and whether under the supervision or control of a conservator or guardian. The Social Security numbers of [the bride and the groom] both persons shall be recorded in the "administrative purposes" section of the license. If the license is signed and sworn to by the applicants on different dates, the earlier date shall be deemed the date of application.

No [man may marry his mother, grandmother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, niece, stepmother or stepdaughter, and no woman may marry her father, grandfather, son, grandson, brother, uncle, nephew, stepfather or stepson] person may marry such person's parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, sibling, parent's sibling, sibling's child, stepparent or stepchild. Any marriage within these degrees is void.

The General Assembly finds that:
(1) The best interests of a child are promoted by having persons in the child's life who manifest a deep concern for the child's growth and development;
(2) The best interests of a child are promoted when a child has as many persons loving and caring for the child as possible; and
(3) The best interests of a child are promoted when the child is part of a loving, supportive and stable family, whether that family is a nuclear, extended, split, blended, single parent, adoptive or foster family.
(4) It is further found that the current public policy of the state of Connecticut is now limited to a marriage between a man and a woman.

Any person who fails or refuses for any reason to join persons in marriage shall not be subject to any fine or other penalty for such failure or refusal.

Finally.... It looks as if Minnesota is considering a bill that will strip civil rights protections for gay citizens. Sigh... it just keeps getting better and better.... Later folks.