In the wake of the state Supreme Court’s legalization of gay marriage, the Republican governor said Tuesday in San Francisco he hopes gay couples come to California for wedded bliss.

“You know, I’m wishing everyone good luck with their marriages and I hope that California’s economy is booming because everyone is going to come here and get married,” said Arnold Schwarzenegger, prompting laughs and applause, according to a recording.

The governor appeared Tuesday at an Environmental Defense Fund event to discuss practices that can help businesses become more environmentally sound. He responded to a question from a man who said he signed up to marry his partner of 22 years at San Francisco City Hall in June.

Schwarzenegger spokesman Aaron McLear said the governor meant his remark in a “lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek manner.”

“Certainly whenever folks come to California and spend money, it’s a good thing, but we have not done any kind of study to determine what kind of economic impact this will have,” McLear said.

The governor reiterated he opposes an initiative backed by conservatives to ban gay marriage in the state constitution. He said he personally defines marriage as between a man and a woman but that he does not “want to force that opinion on anyone.”

Source: Sacramento Bee