Republican Lawmakers Push For Vote On Gay Marriage

ST. PAUL  (AP) — Republican state lawmakers are vowing to put a gay marriage ban before Minnesota voters next year.

A group of legislators said Tuesday they will propose amending the state constitution. Voters will be asked whether marriage in the state should be limited to the union of one man and one woman.

Minnesota already has such a law on the books, but constitutional amendments are harder to overturn. Amendments also don't require the governor's approval. Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton says he opposes the move but doesn't have the power to stop it.

Similar bills have failed in the past when Democrats controlled at least one legislative chamber. But Republicans now control the entire Legislature for the first time in 38 years.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.