Mike Pence, Indiana's Republican
governor, is not convinced that banning gay marriage in the state
will hurt its economy.
Pence is backing a proposed
constitutional amendment which would limit marriage to a heterosexual
union. Lawmakers in 2011 approved the amendment but a second vote is
needed before it can go on next year's ballot.
On Friday, Pence reacted to a new poll
which showed that a large majority (62%) of Indiana voters favor the
amendment.
The poll, conducted by a Republican
pollster and paid for by the Indiana Family Institute, which opposes
marriage equality, belies the findings of earlier polls that show the
amendment failing.
(Related: Nearly
two-thirds of Indiana voters disagree with gay marriage ban.)
“The fact that we have competing
public opinion polls really underscores the reason why we should just
let Hoosiers decide,” Pence told News 8.
The governor also dismissed the
arguments of corporations who say the amendment will hurt their
ability to recruit.
“Some of the fastest growing state
economies in America have a traditional definition of marriage in
their state constitutions,” Pence said. “And I don't believe in
my heart that this would be a barrier to job creation or growth.”
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Republicans control all three branches
of government in Indiana.