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February 1, 2005
ssharp@ink.org
Friends:
I wanted to bring you a “live and late-breaking” shift from the norm. I know I owe you a Sharp Record. There just wasn’t much going on in my committees or on the floor last week and I don’t like to be junk in your Inbox!
Before I go on, I know some of you will be just as frustrated as I about the amount of time we are dedicating to this issue. But, I feel it necessary to share where we are spending the bulk of our legislative time, your taxpayer dollars.
The most substantial work was done in House Federal and State Affairs Committee last week. Three days of testimony on the marriage amendment culminated in its passing out of the committee without amendment. I am sitting on the floor of the House preparing to hear the bill. Should it pass unamended, as expected, it will be the exact same bill as passed the Senate, and will go directly to a vote of the people on April 5, 2005.
The testimony was quite compelling on both sides. One day was dedicated to the proponents and one day to the opponents. A third day was dedicated to hearing from four lawyers in the House, on the legal ramifications of the amendment. One thing I never considered (that’s the non-lawyer in me!) is this:
Currently, the 1996 law (pasted below) was upheld in 2000 by the Kansas Supreme Court. Thus, it is the “law of the land.” Any case with regard to that law would be decided by the precedent set by the Court. However, the amendment before the House would substantially change the definition of marriage as set forward in the 1996 law and 2000 Supreme Court case. If Kansas changes the definition of marriage, as in this amendment, it would open up a new venue for legal challenges, under a different Supreme Court than 2000.
I encourage you to tune your computer into the House, you can click the link below to listen LIVE to the debate. I will email again with a final update on this issue.
Resources
Johnson County Statehouse Hotline! Call Topeka for free – 913-715-5000 and ask to speak with your Representative or Senator.
LIVE! House or Senate Chamber:
http://www.kslegislature.org/currenthappenings/index.html
Stephanie Sharp
17th District, KS House
Serving Lenexa and Shawnee
913-894-1201