MISSOURI: AG Won't Appeal Ruling On Out-Of-State Marriage Recognition

Here's a domino that we probably did not anticipate falling today.

Attorney General Chris Koster today released the following statement: "The circuit court's judgment in Barrier v. Vasterling held that Missouri must recognize marriages lawfully entered into in other states. We will not appeal that judgment. Our national government is founded upon principles of federalism – a system that empowers Missouri to set policy for itself, but also obligates us to honor contracts entered into in other states. A consequence of this morning's ruling by the United States Supreme Court is that gay marriage will soon be legal in as many as 30 states. At a time when Missouri is competing to attract the nation's premier businesses and most talented employees, we should not demand that certain individuals surrender their marriage licenses in order to live and work among us. Missouri's future will be one of inclusion, not exclusion."

Back in June, Koster threatened to sue the city of St. Louis after four gay couples married in the office of Mayor Francis Slay. Missouri is under the jurisdiction of the Eighth Circuit Court, which has not yet ruled on same-sex marriage. Koster, a Democrat, has said that he personally supports marriage equality but would defend his state's ban. Until today, that is.