In New Jersey, Marriage Equality Does an Economy Good

Last week, the New York state Senate denied marriage equality to same-sex couples. And now it seems New Jersey's might, too.

The opponents of equality are using the bad economy to make legislators appear out of touch, saying that they should be focused on "jobs, the economy and the budget deficit."

That's laughable. Not because one can always find a reason not to do something, but because marriage equality is perhaps the most painless, inexpensive way for the New Jersey legislature to grow the state economy.

The most recent study of New Jersey's economy from Williams Institute at UCLA said that marriage equality would inject $248 million of direct spending into the state economy over the course of 3 years. Resident couples and those from out of state would get married and spend. Especially couples from New York (Cynthia Nixon, I'm looking at you), whose wedded status would be recognized by their home state.

Passing marriage equality is the right thing to do because it is the right thing to do. But it is also an economically sound decision.