Reported by K.England at Capitol Resource Org.
Amid the budget crisis, California legislators found time to undercut Proposition 8 with SB 54, a bill whose language was completely rewritten on June 30.
The new version of SB 54 says that an out-of-state homosexual marriage — performed before November 5, 2008 — is fully recognized as a marriage in California. November 5, 2008 is the day that voters passed Proposition 8.
SB 54 also says that if an out-of-state homosexual marriage was performed on or after Election Day 2008, then in California, it has every legal responsibility and duty of man-woman marriage. The sole difference is that the homosexual couple cannot use the name “marriage.”
When it was introduced in the Senate on January 15, SB 54 dealt with health care coverage. After passing the Senate, however, it was gutted and rewritten in the Assembly Judiciary Committee. It would need to pass the Assembly, and pass the Senate again, to become a law.
”This bill is a direct effort to undercut what the voters did on November 5, 2008,” said Karen England, Executive Director of Capitol Resource Institute.
”The November 2008 election wasn’t simply about a name, though the ‘marriage’ designation is important. Voters chose to confer the legal responsibilities and duties of marriage on man-woman unions only. By granting the full legal description of marriage to same-sex unions, even without the name, the legislature would flout the meaning of Prop 8,” she said.
Whether a same-sex marriage is performed in California or elsewhere, legislators have a duty to uphold the intent and the letter of the California Constitution. The Constitution states that “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”
Same-sex marriage proponents are free to access the initiative process, where they can attempt an overturn of Proposition 8. Undercutting the Constitution with SB 54, however, communicates disregard for this document and for the citizens of this state.
Phone calls and faxed letters are needed BEFORE the bill’s hearing on Thursday, July 9.
Capitol Resource Institute urges Californians to contact the Assembly Judiciary Committee members. Encourage them to respect the people’s vote — and the Constitution they uphold.
Read SB 54
CONTACT INFORMATION
Committee fax: (916) 319-2188
Mike Feuer, Chairman
Phone: (916) 319-2042
Fax: (916) 319-2142
Van Tran, Vice-Chairman
Phone: (916) 319-2068
Fax: (916) 319-2168
Julia Brownley
Phone: (916) 319-2041
Fax: (916) 319-2141
Noreen Evans
Phone: (916) 319-2007
Fax: (916) 319-2107
Dave Jones
Phone: (916) 319-2009
Fax: 916 319 2109
Steve Knight
Phone: (916) 319-2036
Fax: (916) 319-2136
Paul Krekorian
Phone: (916) 319-2043
Fax: (916) 319-2143
Ted Lieu
Phone: (916) 319-2053
Fax: (916) 319-2153
Bill Monning
Phone: (916) 319-2027
Fax: (916) 319-2127
Jim Nielsen
Phone: (916) 319-2002
Fax: (916) 319-2102
