New Hampshire's House May Postpone Marriage Equality Repeal

Rep. D.J. Bettencourt, New Hampshire?s House Republican Leader, has affirmed that repealing marriage equality is not on the Republican agenda this year. Bettencourt will ask that repeal efforts be postponed until 2012, emphasizing his desire to avoid controversy and to focus on the state?s financial issues. Marriage equality was enacted two years ago at the hands of current Democratic Gov. John Lynch, and many conservative groups, including the National Organization for Marriage, spent considerable amounts of money in last year?s gubernatorial race attempting to defeat him. Recently, the organization sent Bettencourt a mailer in disgruntled reaction to his lack of concern with repealing marriage equality. The executive director of New Hampshire Freedom to Marry, Mo Baxley, said the mailer was a ?clear effort by a small but well-funded group to bully the GOP House majority leader." Baxley lauded Bettencourt?s resolve to focus on economic recovery, calling it ?the main reason why voters put Republicans in charge in New Hampshire.? The repeal bill?s sponsor, Republican Rep. David Bates, maintains that the issue should be dealt will sooner rather than later, but says he will not fight Bettencourt?s decision. Related Media Coverage:Associated Press - January 21, 2011"House Could Delay Gay Marriage Fight"http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/N/NH_XGR_GAY_MARRIAGE_NEW_HAMPSHIRE_NHOL-?SITE=RIPRJ&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT  

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