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Gay marriage bill survives roadblocks

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Mar 13, 2013 at 4:48 pm

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) The bill to allow gay weddings in Minnesota has survived several moves by Senate Republicans to block it.

Majority Democrats defeated Republicans motions on Wednesday to stall the bill's progress during a Senate floor session and in a Rules Committee meeting. Republicans say they want more information about whether it would cost tax money to allow gay couples to marry, either in court costs or state employee benefits.

The bill's backers say any costs would be tough to estimate and not very high.

Four rural Democratic senators sided with the GOP. One Republican, Sen. Branden Petersen, sided with Democrats. That was enough to keep the bill alive.

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the gay marriage bill on Tuesday. A full Senate vote is not likely until later this spring.