No veto for O'Brien from O'Malley

In his last slate of bill signings (PDF), Governor Martin O'Malley ignored a request by Catholic Archbishop of Baltimore, Edwin O'Brien to veto bills giving additional rights to non-married couples or domestic partners. The non veto got little play in the mainstream press such as the Baltimore Sun but was mentioned in an article in the Archdiocesan newspaper, The Catholic Review.

It is interesting to note that O'Malley could have allowed both bills to become law without the very public and definitive act of signing them. In Maryland law, all bills become effective within 30 days unless specifically vetoed by the Governor. A non signing and non veto could have at least placated Archbishop O'Brien somewhat but would likely have resulted in increased media attention, something O'Malley most likely wanted to avoid.

How to lower your approval ratings in two easy steps

Virginia Governor Tim Kaine must be a masochist. He currently enjoys fairly high approval ratings (51% positive) according to Rasmussen Reports. He must have gazed across the river and decided his ratings were too high or felt pity for his neighbor and fellow Democrat, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley whose positive ratings are in the 30% range. By calling a special session (Step 1) to decide on a tax increase (Big Step 2), Governor Kaine is sure to see his numbers slip.

What he is doing that Governor O'Malley failed to do, is discuss the plan at Town Hall meetings across the State of Virginia and target the tax increase to specific areas with a specific purpose. Kaine is looking for a "Win-Win" according to the Washington Post but most likely Virginia voters will see the special session as a sham politically motivated stunt and certainly not be happy about a sizable tax increase.

Another Test for O'Malley

This weekend in every Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Archbishop Edwin O'Brien had a letter read during Mass. It encouraged Catholics to contact Governor O'Malley (D), himself a practicing Roman Catholic to veto (not sign) two bills scheduled to be signed in one of the remaining bill signings scheduled. Senate Bill 566 and 597 "establish domestic partnerships between same-sex and unmarried opposite-sex couples" according to the letter from O'Brien. To be more specific SB566 allows for visitation and medical decision rights for a domestic parter while SB597 exempts domestic partners from property transfer taxes, thereby making their rights the same as married couples. The bills hardly establish domestic partnerships fully, but one could argue they begin a "slippery slope" toward full recognition.

It is relatively rare for a Bishop to make a request of "the faithful" to contact an elected official directly regarding specific legislation. Let's see if the Catholic O'Malley will assent to the lobbying and the Bishop's request or proceed with signing the legislation as he has publicly said he would prior to passage in the House and Senate.

It's an admittedly tough position for O'Malley. If he fails to sign the bills he will be reniging on a previous made pledge and look like a Catholic stooge. The risk for signing the bill will result in possible further alienation of the significant Catholic electorate in the State many of whom are most likely some of his remaining ardent supporters. Though with a 33% approval rating, there aren't many of those left at this point...