Schwarzenegger Vetoes Gay Marriage Bill

SACRAMENTO, CA -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a same-sex marriage bill for the second time Friday, carrying out his promise to continue vetoing gay marriage bills like he did in 2005.

The Republican governor turned down the measure crafted by Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, that would have lifted the state's ban on same-sex marriages by defining marriage as a union between two persons, not just a man and a woman

"I support current domestic partnership rights and will continue to vigorously defend and enforce these rights," the governor said in a statement Friday.

In his veto message, the Republican governor said it is up to the state Supreme Court and then, if necessary, voters to alter Proposition 22, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman in California.

The California Supreme has agreed to decide on the constitutionality of Prop. 22, but the justices are not expected to hear the case until next year.