Senate GOP says petition drive on gay-marriage bill falls short
By GARY D. ROBERTSON
Associated Press Writer


Senate Republicans said Tuesday they are two signatures short of forcing a vote on whether to send to the Senate floor a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in North Carolina.

GOP leaders, unhappy that their proposal is stuck in committee, said last week they would circulate a petition seeking to remove the bill from the panel and bring to a floor vote whether it should be debated by the full Senate.

Thirty signatures are needed to force a majority-rules vote on a bill discharge motion. Senate Minority Leader Jim Forrester, R-Gaston, has 28 signatures - all 23 Republicans and five Democrats.

Democrats hold 27 of 50 Senate seats