Star Ledger Reports: Democratic leaders plan to announce Monday that a bill legalizing same gender marriage will be the first measure to be introduced in the new session of the Senate and the Assembly, sources with knowledge of their intentions said last night.
The unified Democratic leadership represents the best chance supporters will have to see a bill move through both houses, according to three sources who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly about the plan.
State Sen. President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester), who is now said to be a pivotal supporter of the legislation, abstained the last time the issue came before the Legislature in 2010 — a decision he later said he regretted more than any other in his career. A spokeman for Sweeney did not respond to questions about the plan last night.
Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex) will also be present at the news conference, ensuring that the proposal has the full support of the state’s two most powerful Democratic lawmakers. Oliver could not be reached for comment.
