AZ panel will probe handling of marriage debate
Posted on Aug 07, 2008 at 10:26 am
The Arizona Daily Star
August 6, 2008
Members of the Ethics Committee rejected a request by Sen. Ben Miranda, D-Phoenix, to seek testimony from Senate Majority Leader Thayer Verschoor, R-Gilbert, when the panel hears evidence next week about whether Harper broke ethics rules. Miranda wants to know whether Verschoor and Harper planned ahead of time to cut off debate on the last night of the legislative session to clear the way for a vote on a measure to write discrimination against gay and lesbian couples into the Arizona constitution. [Link]
August 6, 2008
Members of the Ethics Committee rejected a request by Sen. Ben Miranda, D-Phoenix, to seek testimony from Senate Majority Leader Thayer Verschoor, R-Gilbert, when the panel hears evidence next week about whether Harper broke ethics rules. Miranda wants to know whether Verschoor and Harper planned ahead of time to cut off debate on the last night of the legislative session to clear the way for a vote on a measure to write discrimination against gay and lesbian couples into the Arizona constitution. [Link]
Power surge
Posted on Aug 07, 2008 at 09:47 am
Bay Windows
August 6, 2008
Eleni Carr, vice-chair of the Massachusetts Commission on GLBT Youth and chair of the commission’s government relations committee, said the marriage amendment debate helped pave the way for the successful effort to increase funding for state LGBT youth programs. "There was almost a way that the marriage debate really just opened the door and opened everyone's eyes to how much discrimination and oppression our community faces," said Carr. [Link]
August 6, 2008
Eleni Carr, vice-chair of the Massachusetts Commission on GLBT Youth and chair of the commission’s government relations committee, said the marriage amendment debate helped pave the way for the successful effort to increase funding for state LGBT youth programs. "There was almost a way that the marriage debate really just opened the door and opened everyone's eyes to how much discrimination and oppression our community faces," said Carr. [Link]
Legislators who stepped up
Posted on Aug 04, 2008 at 02:23 pm
Boston Globe
August 3, 2008
The editorial staff writes following the repeal of the discriminatory 1913 law in the Massachusetts legislature, "The Globe would like to recognize the 119 House members who stood up for equal rights with their votes Tuesday." (Link)
August 3, 2008
The editorial staff writes following the repeal of the discriminatory 1913 law in the Massachusetts legislature, "The Globe would like to recognize the 119 House members who stood up for equal rights with their votes Tuesday." (Link)
Eulogy for “Marriage Evasion” in Massachusetts: 1913-2008
Posted on Aug 04, 2008 at 02:19 pm
Huffington Post
August 1, 2008
Blogger Howard Stein recounts some of the history of marriage laws in the United States, noting recent advancements in equality and how the country faced such struggles in the past. (Link)
August 1, 2008
Blogger Howard Stein recounts some of the history of marriage laws in the United States, noting recent advancements in equality and how the country faced such struggles in the past. (Link)
New York Gay Couples Head to Massachusetts With Marriage in Mind
Posted on Aug 04, 2008 at 01:47 pm
New York Times
August 2, 2008
In an article discussing whether couples will travel from NY to MA to marry, Evan Wolfson said "that many people he talked to wanted to be able to marry at home, 'and I count myself among them. I don’t think New Yorkers should have to go to Niagara Falls, Canada, to have what we should have in Niagara Falls, New York.'” (Link)
August 2, 2008
In an article discussing whether couples will travel from NY to MA to marry, Evan Wolfson said "that many people he talked to wanted to be able to marry at home, 'and I count myself among them. I don’t think New Yorkers should have to go to Niagara Falls, Canada, to have what we should have in Niagara Falls, New York.'” (Link)
House passes 1913 law repeal in roll call vote
Posted on Jul 29, 2008 at 04:09 pm
Bay Windows
July 29, 2008
The bill to repeal the 1913 law is on its way to Governor Deval Patrick, who will sign it into law. The bill cleared a final hurdle this afternoon, when the House of Representatives passed the bill on a roll call vote after about 25 minutes of debate. The vote was 118-35, with five members not voting. [Link]
July 29, 2008
The bill to repeal the 1913 law is on its way to Governor Deval Patrick, who will sign it into law. The bill cleared a final hurdle this afternoon, when the House of Representatives passed the bill on a roll call vote after about 25 minutes of debate. The vote was 118-35, with five members not voting. [Link]
State senator faces ethics probe in marriage debate
Posted on Jul 29, 2008 at 11:29 am
Tucson Citizen
July 29, 2008
An Arizona state senator faces an ethics investigation for cutting off a debate that served as a filibuster for opponents of a referendum to prohibit same-sex couples from getting legally married in the state. With its chairman crossing party lines, the Senate Ethics Committee voted 3-2 on Monday to formally investigate a lawmaker's complaint that Republican Sen. Jack Harper of Surprise broke Senate rules. [Link]
July 29, 2008
An Arizona state senator faces an ethics investigation for cutting off a debate that served as a filibuster for opponents of a referendum to prohibit same-sex couples from getting legally married in the state. With its chairman crossing party lines, the Senate Ethics Committee voted 3-2 on Monday to formally investigate a lawmaker's complaint that Republican Sen. Jack Harper of Surprise broke Senate rules. [Link]
MA House Debates 1913 Law Tuesday
Posted on Jul 29, 2008 at 10:05 am
PolitickerMA.com
July 24, 2008
According to a House leadership source with knowledge of the legislative schedule, debate over the law is expected to occur when the House returns to full session Tuesday. [Link]
July 24, 2008
According to a House leadership source with knowledge of the legislative schedule, debate over the law is expected to occur when the House returns to full session Tuesday. [Link]
AZ State Senate President Bee rejects request to probe GOP rule-breaking in handling of filibuster
Posted on Jul 24, 2008 at 09:55 am
Arizona Daily Star
July 24, 2008
The showdown over putting discrimination against gay and lesbian couples into the state constitution on the November ballot brought a dramatic ending to the legislative session last month. Bee, who originally sponsored the anti-gay measure, is running for Congress against incumbent Democrat Gabrielle Giffords in District 8. [Link]
July 24, 2008
The showdown over putting discrimination against gay and lesbian couples into the state constitution on the November ballot brought a dramatic ending to the legislative session last month. Bee, who originally sponsored the anti-gay measure, is running for Congress against incumbent Democrat Gabrielle Giffords in District 8. [Link]
Legislator seeks reprimand of colleague
Posted on Jul 22, 2008 at 12:27 pm
The Arizona Daily Star
July 22, 2008
The dust-up in the Senate over marriage on the last night of the legislative session has one lawmaker seeking to have another one formally reprimanded. In a complaint filed Monday, Sen. Ken Cheuvront, D-Phoenix, said Sen. Jack Harper, R-Surprise, used his position to illegally interrupt debate, and then purposely ignored legal protests. [Link]
July 22, 2008
The dust-up in the Senate over marriage on the last night of the legislative session has one lawmaker seeking to have another one formally reprimanded. In a complaint filed Monday, Sen. Ken Cheuvront, D-Phoenix, said Sen. Jack Harper, R-Surprise, used his position to illegally interrupt debate, and then purposely ignored legal protests. [Link]