Corzine Holds Back On Signing NJ Civil Unions Bill
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

(Trenton, New Jersey) New Jersey Same-sex couples hoping to exchange vows on Valentine's Day could be out of luck.

New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine did not sign the bill into law on Friday as many had expected. The law will go into effect 60 days after it is signed.

The governor who has said he supports civil unions in principal now wants to have it examined clause by clause.

“We’re going to do a study, as we do with all legislation that comes to make sure that what we think we’re getting is what we’re getting,” Corzine said.

“We try to avoid unintended consequences.”

Still the governor acknowledged that he understands how important it is to same-sex couples to have legal protections.

“It is pretty important in the financial lives of a whole host of folks,” Corzine said.

Depending on what his "study" of the bill finds the governor has three choices. He could sign the bill, veto it or do nothing in which case after 45 days of inaction it would become valid and then go into effect after another 60 days.

The bill to allow civil unions for same-sex couples passed the New Jersey Legislature Thursday afternoon. (story)...