Maryland panel Approves the Gay Marriage bill, now it's off to the Senate

This just came out:

The Maryland Senate will likely take up a civil unions bill next week after the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee approved the measure today. 

The panel voted 7-4 to forward the bill to the full Senate.

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller told reporters that the debate on gay marriage would likely begin on Tuesday and predicted that the final vote would be taken on Monday, Feb. 28.

Observers say 23 state senators – all but one are Democrats -- have indicated their support for passage, but 24 votes are needed. Three senators – all Democrats -- have not declared their intentions yet, but one of them has broadly hinted support for the bill. The other 21 senators have indicated they will vote against gay marriage, including 10 Democrats.

source