From today’s Spokesman Review paper.

House OKs partners bill

Measure grants rights, protections to same-sex couples

How local lawmakers voted Yes: Reps. Don Barlow, Timm Ormsby and Alex Wood, all D-Spokane. No: Reps. John Ahern, R-Spokane; David Buri, R-Colfax; Larry Crouse, R-Spokane; Steve Hailey, R-Mesa; Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda; Lynn Schindler, R-Otis Orchards; and Bob Sump, R-Republic.

Richard Roesler
Staff writer
April 11, 2007

 

OLYMPIA – In what proponents called a victory for compassion, the state House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to grant same-sex couples some of the legal rights and protections that married couples get automatically.

Senate Bill 5336 now goes to Gov. Chris Gregoire, who is expected to sign it into law. Washington would become the sixth state to give some spousal rights to same-sex partners.

Democratic supporters of the bill hugged on the House floor moments after the 63-35 vote, mostly along party lines. The law would take effect 90 days after the governor signs it.

 

This is a great step forward for washington. And one step closer to the way I think it should be, same sex partners should have the same rights that traditional married couples have.