Lynch, Senate Dems Want Focus On Economy, Not Social Issues

When asked to weigh in the hot button issues that could soon be headed his way, Governor Lynch took a pass.

"You know, right now I think it’s all about the economy, and it’s all about creating jobs. We have big financial challenges and that’s what I’m going to focus on -- and Pamela is going to drag me away because I’m going to speak momentarily."

Momentarily turned out to be roughly an an hour later. And when the Governor did address party loyalists, the closest he came to touching any of the pending bills was this.

"There are a lot of tough choices ahead of us, but I am confident that we can meet any challenge because we have the right team in place."

The most crucial player on that team in the state senate is Senate President, Sylvia Larsen. Speaking moments before the fundraiser began in earnest, Larsen seemed very much of a mind with the Governor.

"I think our main focus has to be on the stimulus package and getting jobs going and balancing a really tough budget."

But unlike Governor Lynch, who’s repeatedly said he personally opposes same-sex marriage, Larsen will say, if pressed, that she’s got no problem with it.

-Are you in any doubt about how you feel about same-sex marriage?

"Not personally, but on the impact to society -- whether people are ready for it. And I think we did a remarkable job with civil unions, and it’s been a very brief time since we passed that that. So, my own personal beliefs sometimes have to go to the side and I have to look at the broader social context, and the context of the group that I’m leading."

And by that measure, the context varies seat to seat. Only a few Democratic senators have unambiguous positions on same sex marriage. And even some who same sex-marriage-backers count as supporters seem less than eager to spell out their positions.

"No, I don’t want to say now."

That’s Nashua Senator Bette Lasky.

"Because I like to hear everything. And I have not really read the bill."

-But conceptually you are in favor?

(Silence) For the record, the senator was nodding her head

-So, do you want to say that?

Apparently not. A few minutes later, Rochester Senator Jackie Cilley says based on contact from her constituents, she’s not surprised senate Democrats are treading lightly.

It has to do with looking at this economy and hearing a lot of people say what are you doing? A lot of folks in my district think we are focusing on the wrong things right now. I’ve got folks who are losing their jobs. They are taking pay cuts, they are being foreclosed on -- that is where they want my attention, so I don’t know."

But for many house Democrats who backed the same sex marriage, this argument -- to say nothing of the frequency with the senators are making it -- already chafes.

"And I’ve had that said to me: we should be focusing on the budget. But we can’t just pass bills or kill bills willy nilly. We have to focus on every bill that comes to the house floor, that’s our obligation."

Jane Clemons has represented Nashua in the house for 10 terms. She sees same-sex marriage as a matter of civil rights, and believes anything short of marriage amounts to discrimination. She adds that the public should be outraged that Senators seem loathe to tackle the question directly.

"I had two tell me that they are sorry we passed it in the House, because they don’t have, and don’t want to find the courage to deal with it on the Senate floor. I find that appalling.

The Senate has yet to set a hearing date for the same sex marriage bill, or for that matter, the house-backed measures to repeal the death penalty and allow medical marijuana.