California Supreme Court hears gay marriage case; at issue is mayor's power to interpret law
DAVID KRAVETS, Associated Press Writer Tuesday, May 25, 2004
(05-25) 10:50 PDT SAN FRANCISCO (AP) --

San Francisco's mayor had "completely taken away" the Legislature's power on the gay marriage issue when he issued licenses to same-sex couples earlier this year, an attorney for the state argued Tuesday.

The California Supreme Court began hearing arguments on whether San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom abused his municipal powers when he issued the 4,000 marriage licenses earlier this year.

The seven justices grilled opponents of the licenses, including the California attorney general, as well as attorneys for the city over how much leeway elected officials have to interpret state law.

Legal experts predict Newsom will lose, since the justices are virtually certain to avoid the legal anarchy that could result if local officials can choose which laws to follow.