Same-Sex Marriage and Rezoning Discussed at Republican Club Meeting

State Senator Ed Reilly walking into the District 32 Republican Club meeting Tuesday night and was met with hard-hitting concerns surrounding same-sex marriage laws, state and county budget issues and the proposed rezoning bill. 

The tough questions were welcomed by Reilly after he asked the club to open up about the problems they felt were most important to the nation and county. 

“With same-sex marriage, we know what's coming and what we're up against,” said Laura Graham, head of the club's membership committe. “We just want to know what we can do to fight against it, and how hard we should use our resources.”

Reilly said he views the legalization of same-sex marriage as a popularity contest between Governor O'Malley and New York Governor Dennis Cuomo.

“It's a contest to see who appears to be more liberal,” he said. “And whoever wins will most likely be a Vice Presidential or Presidential nominee.”

Members expressed concern that Gov. O'Malley said he is a practicing Catholic and also supports same-sex marriage.

“Most voters take the religious aspect and ignore it,” said Reilly. “They call things like this a social justice issue, and O'Malley is doing the same.”

Reilly said he believes same-sex marriage will be passed, but will be confronted through online petitioning, ultimately stopping the proposal.

Additionally, Reilly said he feels both the issue of same-sex marriage and in-state tuition for illegal immigrants will, in the end, be good for the Republican Party. The State Senator said he expects people who haven't voted in several years to come out and place their ballot regarding the controversial issues.

Reilly addressed concerns from the group regarding proposed changes to state and county budgets, saying that residents should expect tax increases.

The increases will, according to Reilly, fund areas such as teacher pensions and see them moved to county responsibility. He also discussed a gas tax to fund improvement of state roads and bridges and the potential passing of taxes on services such as real estate, lawyers, and auto mechanics to fund the structural deficit within the state budget.

The rezoning bill was also a hot topic for Reilly, stating that he expects the bill to pass despite the senate Republicans' plans to fight against it.

“We're outnumbered three to one,” said Reilly. “But you would be proud of the way that we stand up and fight anyway.”

According to Reilly, the redistricting bill will divide the county in a way that will give Democrats an advantage.

“They are going to be turning the county clockwise to get things arranged how they want. They'll figure out who they want to help and who they want to hurt, and then that's what they'll do.”

Reilly shared that, although he has not yet seen maps for the redistricting, he presumes changes will happen within the district.

“With the stroke of a pen, they can put all of the Republicans in one district,” he explained.

Reilly spoke candidly about the possible effects of the bill on his family.

“I have lived in Crofton for 35 years and have been in my current house for 25 of those years. It would be very distressing to to think I would have to move because the Democrats want to give me a hard time,” he said.