Not the year for gay marriage debate

Today marks a crucial first deadline at the state Capitol. All policy bills must have cleared at least one chamber's policy committees in order to stay alive. Several bills both in favor and against gay marriage will miss that deadline — failing to get even a single hearing.

It seems with the state grappling with a $4.6 billion budget deficit, there is little appetite among state lawmakers to wade into this social debate.

Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Wabasha, has authored a bill that would amend the state Constitution to define marriage as union between a man and a woman. That proposed change would be submitted to the state's voters during the 2010 general election.

Meanwhile Rep. Tina Liebling, DFL-Rochester, is co-sponsoring the "Marriage and Family Protection Act," which would removes gender specific references in the state's marriage laws.

Other proposals include a bill that would allow for civil unions and another bill that would require Minnesota to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.