The US Supreme Court and Same-Sex Marriage After this morning's hour and twenty minutes of legal arguments and judicial questioning, the US Supreme Court will probably take until June to rule on the issue of same-sex marriage . Gay marriage advocates have targeted California's Proposition 8, which banned such unions five years ago. The justices have a plateful of options to consider. Will they uphold Prop 8?  Will they rule that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right? As public opinion has shifted, will a court majority leave the issue up to different voters in different states?  We hear excerpts from both sides, learn what the justices wanted to know, get analysis and perhaps even a brave prediction or two.

The US Supreme Court, Politics and Same Sex Marriage US Supreme Court watchers are playing a waiting game in regard to same-sex marriage.  As the justices work out their differences behind closed doors, we’ll look at the options—and the potential consequences for the law and for politics.         Polls show the trend in favor of same-sex marriage is growing fast.  For the first time in US history, it was approved by voters in three of last month’s elections, rather than in legislative chambers.  It’s now legal in nine states and the District of Columbia.  Friday—and again today—it was expected the US Supreme Court would take up the matter.  Both sides are waiting anxiously for action on Friday.  That provides more time to consider the options, legal, political and moral.

A Federal Court Rules that California’s Prop 8 is Unconstitutional First, Proposition 8 was passed by California voters in 2008 after the State Supreme Court had legalized same-sex marriage. That same court then upheld , Prop 8, which says that marriage can occur only between a man and a woman. Opponents then filed suit in federal court in San Francisco, claiming Prop 8 violates the federal constitution.  Today Judge Vaughn Walker ruled that the plaintiffs are right.

The Fast Track to Same-Sex Marriage Last week the Washington, DC City Council voted 12-to-1 to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. The lone “no” vote came from a former civil rights leader who was called a “bigot” by a gay council colleague. A group of African-American ministers stormed the hallway outside, and police were called in to restore order. Same-Sex Marriage Legislation/Court Decisions: Vermont Legislature (TtP on) Massachusetts Supreme Court (TtP on) Connecticut Supreme Court Iowa Supreme Court Maine Legislature California Supreme Court Passage of California's Prop 8, court appeals to (Which Way, L.A.? on)

Top Democrats Use Campaign Funds for Staff Pay, Legal Fees Democrat Don Perata of Oakland is president pro tem of the State Senate. He’s also been under federal investigation for four years. FBI agents have raided his home. E-mails and other documents have been subpoenaed. The Sacramento Bee says Perata’s legal expenses have added up to almost two million dollars. Now, the paper reports that the state Democratic Party has helped him out with 450,000 dollars from political contributions. Some party members are saying that money was supposed to be spent on campaigns against Republicans.

Will Blackwater come to California? Potrero is a mountain town forty-five miles east of San Diego . It’s near where Blackwater Worldwide wants to build a training camp with eleven firing ranges, a driving track and a helipad.  Blackwater says it will go ahead, even after yesterday’s local election in which Portrero voters recalled five planning board members .  The margin of dis-favor was between 63 and 70%.

What Are Californians Thinking about Government? California voters are on a different page from their leaders, especially when it comes to political reform. According to the latest public-opinion poll by the Public Policy institute of California, Governor Schwarzenegger's doing all right and the legislature is somewhat improved, but the federal government is a disaster.  How are the presidential candidates doing? Do voters like the idea of a February primary ? What about changing the current term limits law?  There's good news and bad news for California's political leaders.  We hear what Californians are thinking from Mark Baldassare, president of the Public Policy Institute of California, Republican political strategist Allan Hoffenblum and Democratic activist Rick Jacobs.