The California Supreme Court 4-3 decision ruled that the California state statute defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman is unconstitutional. That means the voice of the people has been called " unconstitutional".
The ruling also means that California now joins several other states where courts have ordered the legal recognition of same-sex weddings. If you think this only matter to those living in California, you could not be more wrong. Here is just apiece of the court decision: "We cannot find that retention of the traditional definition of marriage constitutes a compelling state interest. Accordingly, we conclude that to the extent the current California statutory provisions limit marriage to opposite-sex couples, these statutes are unconstitutional."
The California decision shows exactly what we want to avoid here in Pennsylvania ---judges overturning a state statute defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. It's up to the people to decide the definition of marriage, not judges and not politicians. A state constitutional amendment is the only way to protect marriage in Pennsylvania.
SB 1250, the proposed marriage protection amendment, would add the following language to the Pennsylvania Constitution: "No union other than a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as marriage or the functional equivalent of marriage by the Commonwealth."
Whether or not Pennsylvania voters get to vote on the marriage amendment next year depends on the Pennsylvania General Assembly, and especially House Speaker Dennis O'Brien. The scheduled vote on SB 1250 in the State Senate was put on hold last week when, as reported by the Philadelphia Gay News.
The bill was tabled after Speaker of the House Rep. Dennis O'Brien (R-169th Dist.) contacted Republican senators during the May 6 debate and informed them that if introduced in the House, the bill would be sent directly to the State Government Committee. Rep. Babette Josephs (D-182nd Dist.), chair of the committee, has pledged to kill the measure.
Wanting the amendment to succeed, Sen. Brubaker asked his colleagues to hold off on a vote until the House leadership can be convinced by citizen contacts to place the bill in a committee where it can have a fair up or down vote. It is vitally important that Speaker O'Brien rescind his threat to send the bill to its death.
Opponents of the marriage amendment prefer that judges make the decision about marriage like they've done in California and Massachusetts, not you the voter. Here in Pennsylvania, marriage amendment opponents say it is not necessary, since we already have a law on the books defining marriage as the union of husband and wife. Well, so did California, a law passed by 61% vote of the people. Now that law is gone - ruled unconstitutional by four judges.
Throughout the last three months, opponents have tried a series of political maneuvers and made a number of false claims in a desperate attempt to block Pennsylvania voters from deciding the definition of marriage. That's why your action today is vitally important.
ACTION ITEMS:
Contact: Speaker of the House Dennis O'Brien (call 717-787-4610 or email dobrien@pahousegop.com) What to say: "Please support SB 1250. When the amendment comes over from the Senate, will you please place the bill into the House Judiciary Committee." Let us know you contacted him so we can have a good idea of the number of calls getting to the Speaker.
Contact: Majority Leader Bill DeWeese (call 717-783-3797 or email repbilldeweese@pahouse.net) What to Say: "I support SB 1250. As House Majority Leader, would you please tell Speaker Dennis O'Brien to assign SB 1250 to the Judiciary committee. SB 1250 deserves a vote so please do all that you can to see it pass."
Contact: Majority Whip Keith McCall (call 717-783-1375 or email kmccall@pahouse.net) What to Say: "I support SB 1250. Would you please tell Speaker Dennis O'Brien to assign SB 1250 to the Judiciary committee where it will be brought up for a vote in a timely fashion when it comes over from the Senate. SB 1250 deserves a vote so please do all that you can to see it pass."
Contact: your State Representative (Use our Citizen Action Center to find their name and contact information)What to Say: "Would you please support SB 1250 without any changes or amendments. Also, would you to tell your leaders in the House and Senate to allow it to come up for a vote."
Contact: your State Senator (Use our Citizen Action Center to find their name and contact information)What to Say: "Would you please support SB 1250 without any changes or amendment. How do you intend to vote on SB 1250?
Contact: Sen. Mike Brubaker (email mbrubaker@pasen.gov) and Sen. John Gordner (email jgordner@pasen.gov) What to Say: "Thank you so much for your extraordinary leadership on SB 1250"
Thank you for all your efforts to help protect marriage in Pennsylvania!
No comments:
Post a Comment