Funny, we didn't see this in the Examiner, Chron or Sacramento Bee. Yesterday, the state's Senate Judiciary Committee passed Assembly Bill 849, the "Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act," by a vote of five to two. While it's still to early to shout, "Yay for the Gays," it's a big tactical victory for assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), who gutted a languishing agriculture bill to get this reviewed before the Assembly takes recess on Friday. The bill was sponsored by EQCA.

Leno's AB 19, which AB 849 closely resembles, lost on the floor of the assembly last year by only four votes. The committee voted along party lines, with Republicans Dick Ackerman (Orange County) and Bill Morrow (Oceanside) voting nay. The measure won't get a vote again until August after the Assembly has returned from their summer recess. Cross your fingers!