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Politics & Government

IGH's Rep. Atkins Votes 'Yes' on Same-Sex Marriage Bill

The Inver Grove Heights representative said yes to the same-sex marriage bill on Thursday afternoon.

The Minnesota House of Representatives passed legislation that would extend marriage to same-sex couples in a 75-59 vote Thursday afternoon.

Inver Grove Heights Rep. Joe Atkins (D-52B) voted in favor of the measure.

The bill will go to the Senate floor Monday. If passed, Gov. Mark Dayton will be the last step to sign the bill into law.

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While Atkins didn't speak during the debate, he posted this item on his campaign's Facebook page on Thursday's vote:

In many places around the world, a disagreement over an emotional issue like this would boil into a battle settled with rocks or guns or bombs. Here, it is settled with speeches and political pressure and voting. I'm proud of the process and of the people here today.

Find out what's happening in Inver Grove Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

and this statement, posted before debate began but tipping his hand on how he planned to vote.

Ellen (DeGeneres) is now happily married and so am I, and, as a result of our vote on the House floor today, I hope others can enjoy that opportunity as well.

Atkins had previously opposed last year's proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, calling it a poorly-timed "distraction" from the state's budget deficit.

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