A Florida appeals court on Thursday
rejected state Attorney General Pam Bondi's request to not rule on
the state's ban on gay marriage until the U.S. Supreme Court weighs
in on the issue.
Bondi had asked the 3rd
District Court of Appeals to put a freeze on two challenges to the
ban before the court.
“Neither this Court nor the Florida
Supreme Court can decide this issue with finality,” Bondi wrote.
“The United States Supreme Court, however, 'has the final word on
the United States Constitution.'”
“A ruling from the United States
Supreme Court would end the constitutional debate, end this appeal,
and end all related cases,” she added. “The State of Florida
will respect the United States Supreme Court's final word. In the
meantime, this Court should preserve taxpayer and judicial resources
by staying briefing until the United States Supreme Court rules.”
The court rejected Bondi's request.
On Wednesday, Florida's 2nd
District Court of Appeal declined to review a related case and asked
the state Supreme Court to intervene.
(Related: Gay
marriage case headed to Florida Supreme Court.)
Five judges, including
a federal judge, have in recent weeks declared the state's ban
invalid.