By Jane Rochstad Lim • June 9, 2008
Same-sex marriage could potentially boost California's deflating
economy by $683.6 million (£345m) over the next three years, an
analysis by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law has claimed.
The Institute based their predictions on the experiences of
Massachusetts, which legalised gay marriage in 2004.
Last month the California state Supreme Court ruled that gay and
lesbian couples are entitled to civil marriage.
The court rejected a request to delay their decision until November,
when a ballot proposition on the issue will be put to California
voters on the same day as the US Presidential and Congress elections.
The court specified that the decision will become final on June 16th,
2008, at 5pm.
The Institute's report said that approximately 51,320 of California's
same-sex couples would want to marry and another 68,000 out-of-state
couples are likely to travel there to tie the knot.
The direct spending by the newlyweds would create and sustain more
than 2,178 jobs in California, particularly in the travel-related
business.
"In a tough economic climate, California businesses are in a unique
position to reap the wedding windfall, bringing millions of additional
dollars in revenue to state businesses," explains economist M.V. Lee
Badgett, co-author of the study and research director of The Williams
Institute.
The positive effect of same-sex marriages is also echoed by talk show
host Jay Leno.
.
"What's so funny to me is how people miss out on the economic benefits
just in terms of catering and flowers and planning," he said at an
event in Hollywood last week.
"The businesses that cater to [the gay community] do very well. So it
just seems like common sense."
The California state government should also see increased revenues.
The Williams Institute estimates that same-sex couple spending on
weddings and tourism will generate more than $64 million in revenue
for the state and local governments over the next three years.
$55million will be generated in sales and occupancy tax revenues and
$8.8 million in marriage licence fees for California's counties.
"The fiscal effects of same-sex marriage will reverberate well beyond
City Hall, helping to balance the state budget," said study co-author
Brad Sears, executive director of the Williams Institute.
Dear Patrick,
ReplyDeletethis Friday the 13th of June 2008 at 8.00pm there shall be a meal organized for bloggers, their families and friends.
If you like you are also invited to join us for this meal.
The meal shall be held at the San Remo Restaurant in Main Street, Mosta. Details about the menu, location and a lot of other details can be found on my web-site: www.sandrovella.org.
If you would like to book your meal then call now on 79460527 or send me an e-mail at info@sandrovella.org.
You're invited and you can bring whoever you like with you, especially fellow bloggers or your readers.
Kind regards,
Sandro Vella