Assembly schedules gay marriage vote

TRENTON — The leader of the New Jersey Assembly has scheduled a vote on gay marriage legislation. Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver says the vote will happen Feb. 16, three days after the Senate votes. The Democratic-controlled Legislature has made same-sex marriage a priority. But Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican who opposes gay marriage, has vowed to veto the bill if it reaches his desk. The scheduling of a vote came after a 90-minute private meeting Monday of Assembly Democrats. Afterward, Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, the bill sponsor, said he believes it will have enough votes to pass. He says the last couple of votes are being rounded up. The legislation needs 41 Assembly votes. The chamber has enough Democrats to pass the bill without Republican support, but not all Democrats support the bill.