May 09, 2012 10:16 PM UTC

BREAKING: What a Difference 12 Hours Makes: Governor Declares Special Session.

•  
• by: nancycronk

BREAKING, per Lynn Bartels: Governor Hickenlooper to call for a special session; the agenda includes civil unions. Livestream of the Governor’s Press Conference beginning at 1:45pm here.

At the same time, President Barack Obama just announced he now favors gay marriage. When it rains, it pours. From the Huffington Post.

From Colorado’s State Constitution, Article IV, Section 9 (thank you, David Henderson):

“The governor may, on extraordinary occasions convene the general assembly, by proclamation, stating therein the purpose for which it is to assemble; but at such special session no business shall be transacted other than that specially named in the proclamation. He may by proclamation, convene the senate in extraordinary session for the transaction of executive business.”

The official on-line version of Colorado’s Constitution has annotations to describe how the courts have interpreted this right. /1873?fn=document-frame.htm

Bottom line for activists: phone calls, tweets, emails, faxes, and rallies matter. Thanks to all who put pressure on the Governor to move from being one who believes in doing the right thing, and one who uses his executive privileges to lead others in doing the same!

Thank you, Governor Hickenlooper. Your commitment to basic civil rights for all Coloradans will be your lasting legacy!

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead