Dakota County Politicians Speak Their Mind on Same-Sex Marriage Legislation

District 51B Rep. Laurie Halverson (DFL) drew on her own non-traditional family for inspiration while speaking in favor of same-sex marriage legislation on the floor of the Minnesota House of Representatives Thursday afternoon.

"Families don’t all look the same, and I truly believe that by working for equality today, we’re saying that all families really do matter," said Halverson, who noted that her family was created through adoption, not biology. "When we come together and decide to create policies that support all families ... we’ve done well for our state.

Halverson's comments came during a two-hour debate on the House floor. In the end, the full House voted 75-59 to approve the measure. The Minnesota Senate is expected to take up the issue on Monday.

Click on the video above to watch the full debate and vote.

Halverson, who voted for the bill along with fellow Eagan District 51A Rep. Sandra Masin (DFL), wasn't the only Dakota County legislator to speak his or her mind on the issue.

Burnsville's District 56A Rep. Pam Myhra (R), who voted against the bill, worried that children from alternative family arrangements would struggle if the bill passes.

"Where is our focus? Is it on the immediate demands, the attention of the moment, or are we looking at future generations," Myhra said during the debate. "Children don’t have money, they don’t have lobbyists, and they don’t have a vote, nevertheless, I will be a voice in this debate for them."

Farmington's District 58B Rep. Pat Garofalo (R), was one of four House Republicans to vote in favor of the same-sex marrage bill, while Apple Valley's District 57A Rep. Tara Mack (R) and District 57B Rep. Anna Wills (R) both voted against the proposal.

Both Wills and Mack were unavailable for comment following the vote.

Former Eagan representative and Republican Doug Wardlow took to Twitter to share his views on the subject.

"There is a Law above statute, common law or constitution. Legislation that contradicts it is not law; it is lawlessness," Wardlow wrote on Thursday. "MN House votes to allow same-sex marriage, undermine building blocks of free society, upend rule of law, jeopardize ordered liberty."

Masin, reached by Patch following the vote, hopes passage of the legislation would reduce the level of harassment and belittling that gay youth and adults experience.

Regardless of legislators views on same-sex marriage, she added, the House debate was conducted with plenty of respect and gravitas.

“You do not see many days like this Capitol," Masin said. "I hope people will appreciate the level of intensity and heartfelt emotion that was on the floor."