Politics & Government

Woodbury Rep. Andrea Kieffer Backs Bill to Legalize Civil Unions

'Fair compromise' on same-sex marriage issue, says Kieffer, a Republican from Woodbury.

 

State Rep. Andrea Kieffer (R-Woodbury) is a co-author on a new bill at the Minnesota House of Representatives that would legalize civil unions for same-sex couples.

She appeared with three other Republicans at a press conference Wednesday afternoon to tout the legislation as an alternative to legalizing marriage between two people of the same gender.

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Here is a statement from Kieffer about the bill, included in a press release from her office Wednesday:

“Last year’s discussion on marriage in Minnesota was the beginning of a conversation on the issue of equal protections and equal legal rights for all Minnesotans. I do not support changing the definition of ‘marriage’ in our state. I have always said that regardless of the outcome of the Constitutional Amendment last fall, the concerns of those Minnesotans feeling discriminated against should be addressed. This bill gives all couples the same legal benefits and limitations under the law.

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"This proposal is a fair compromise for both sides of this divisive issue and allows us to get back to our main priorities this year of growing jobs and balancing the budget.”

The bill's other sponsors, according to a tweet from Star Tribune reporter Jennifer Brooks, are Republican Reps. Tim Kelly of Red Wing, Pat Garofolo of Farmington and Denny McNamara of Hastings, as well as Rep. Kim Norton, a DFLer from Rochester (who was not at the press conference). 

Related:

  • Woodbury Rep. Kieffer: Make it Tougher to Get Constitutional Amendments on the Ballot
  • MN Marriage Amendment Fails: 'Vote No' Wins


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