DES MOINES, IOWA (AP) -- Groups for and against Iowa's gay marriage law plan rallies to mark Monday's opening of the Legislature, but a Senate leader is ruling out debate on amending
the state constitution to ban same-sex unions.
Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal says the session will focus on balancing the budget and creating jobs. Gronstal says gay marriage doesn't make the list of priorities in a session that leaders have agreed to limit to 80 days to save money.
As majority leader, the Council Bluffs Democrat controls the debate schedules. His decision means the soonest voters could cast ballots on the issue would be the general election of 2014.
The issue stems from a 2009 Iowa Supreme Court ruling that found a law banning gay marriage violated the state constitution.
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