N.H. governor says he’ll sign civil unions bill

Via AP/Boston Herald

CONCORD, N.H. - Gov. John Lynch told The Associated Press on Thursday he will sign legislation establishing civil unions in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire thus will become the fourth state to adopt civil unions and the first to do so without first having a court fight over denying gays the right to marry.
"I believe it is a matter of conscience, fairness and preventing discrimination," Lynch said in an interview.
Although Lynch had said previously he supports expanding health benefits to same-sex partners of state workers, he had declined to take a public position on civil unions. He came under fire from both sides for not weighing in _ especially after the surprise delay last week of the Senate vote on the House-passed bill.
Some legislators had worried the Democratic governor might part company on the bill with Democrats who control the House and Senate for the first time in more than a century.
He said he announced his position on the bill after extensive discussions with lawmakers, including most of the 24 state senators.
"I wanted to see that healthy debate happen in the Statehouse," he said...