Today could be the day! This is so exciting!

The fact that 3 of them are Democrat is just pathetic.

I wonder if 25 votes are actually needed if they get 24 yea, 23 no and 3 abstentions is it still a win?

Don’t get me wrong this is amazing news thank you Senator Katsama

@3 I think that would work too - just need a quorum and then a majority

That was a pretty good speech/explanation, actually. Credit where credit is due.

@6: I think you need to look up the meaning of the word "controversial." Then tell your story to the judges of the Iowa Supreme Court who were thrown out. You, commenting in anonymity on a left-wing blog, are the ass. (I might change my mind about that if I saw a photograph of you standing outside your place of employment in Puyallup holding up a sign demanding marriage equality that included your name, phone number and email address.)

@3 and @4: Needs 25 votes in the Senate. Article II, Section 22 of our State Constitution: "No bill shall become a law unless on its final passage the vote be taken by yeas and nays, the names of the members voting for and against the same be entered on the journal of each house, and a majority of the members elected to each house be recorded thereon as voting in its favor."

@ 6 Sargon-Like it or not in his district this is controversial. His speech makes a strong case to not only cover him politically but convince some people that LGBT people need marriage as much straight people do, for all the same reasons.

I honestly don’t care how people personally feel about marriage equality. If the idea of my husband and I making pancakes, and planning to brave the ice storm (neither are euphemisms) disgust them so be it. As long as they don’t vote to hamper our lives I am happy.

Yes in a perfect world this would not be an issue but Senator Katsama is taking a political risk here and I applaud him for it.

While I totally understand this is a greater political risk for him in a swing district, and I appreciate the vote, I think he's a dick for comparing civil rights to the controversy over charter schools.

Kastama deserves a big hand, especially from his constituents who agree with him; you can tell he wrestled and came down on the right side. When WA for Marriage Equality posts the link thanking him, it'd be great if Slog could link it.

"This decision is a deeply personal one. Unlike some of my colleagues in liberal districts, I will not return home to cheers and handshakes. I represent the district I was raised in.... The people of my district are generous and decent, but I also know that there are childhood friends who will never forgive me for this vote.

...

If controversy is the cost of tackling important issues, then I say bring on the controversy. Make controversy the hallmark of this session.

If we can address this difficult issue, then we have no excuse for not addressing other difficult challenges.

This is what leadership is about. This is a Profile in Courage -- doing the right thing before your constituents are quite ready to do the right thing.

not to nitpick - but in what world are the 'vulnerable held hostage by tax increases'... I guess I don't understand.

I read this and all i could think was.."How brave this man is to stand up for what is right even though he knows he will lose friends, family, and possibly his next term. He stood up for what he believed in and is taking a stand against what others may think is wrong. We all know (gays and lesbians) the fear of wondering who we will lose in our life by coming out and taking a stand. I appreciate this man for his strength. By doing this, he will forever be a part of history. Honestly, I just want to hug him. We need more people in the world that aren't afraid to say and do what is right for all people... what's that saying? Be the change you want to see in the world? I COMMEND YOU FOR TAKING A STAND JIM!!!!!!!

oh and "Vunerable held hostage by tax increases" means ...middle-lower class having no choice but to pay more taxes.