Gay marriage vote expected at noon in House

Published 8:53 am Thursday, May 9, 2013

The Minnesota House of Representatives was expected to vote on a bill at noon today legalizing gay marriage in the state. Go to austindailyherald.com for the latest information.

House Speaker Paul Thissen has previously said the fact that they’re voting would be a signal that DFL leaders secured the 68 votes needed to pass the bill.

If the House passes the bill, the next vote would be in the state Senate. But its passage has been seen as more secure there than in the House. Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton has promised to sign the bill, which would allow gay couples to start getting married in Minnesota on Aug. 1.

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Rep. Jeanne Poppe, DFL-Austin, said Friday she had yet to decide which way she’ll vote, but may support the measure based on the same-sex marriage bill’s economic impact. Sen. Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin, hasn’t said how he would vote, either.

—The Associated Press contributed to this report.