Maine’s Tourism Agencies Lobby for Marriage

With current economic crisis, tourism has been down sharply across the U.S. Now many from Maine’s inns and tourist agencies, claim legalizing same-sex marriage could possibly save the state from economic disaster.

A legislative measure that would repeal the state’s version of the Defense of Marriage Act, which bans same-sex marriage, along with a measure that would make same-sex marriage legal are to be considered this year in Maine’s State House.

Representatives from the tourism industry began lobbying this week in support of the legislation and have started meeting with the state’s lawmakers.

The lobbyist are pointing to a recent study by the Williams Institute, from the University of California Los Angeles, that found legalizing same-sex marriage in the state would boost Maine’s economy by $60 million over the next three years.

Perhaps there are some upsides to the economic downturn. After all, something positive does come from all that is negative.