raunchydog
Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:02:42 -0700
Fairfield Daily Ledger Supervisors call for action on same-sex marriages The resolution asks the Legislature to resolve the discrepancy between the April 3 Iowa Supreme Court ruling and the 1998 Defense of Marriage Act, which states marriage in Iowa is only between one man and By LACEY JACOBS Ledger staff writer Published: Monday, April 27, 2009 2:58 PM CDT Before the state's Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriages took effect this morning, interested residents packed a meeting room in the Jefferson County Courthouse to hear what the local board of supervisors had to say about the issue. Following a brief discussion, the supervisors unanimously passed a resolution calling on the Iowa Legislature to pass legislation providing for a public vote to amend the Iowa Constitution or to pass legislation conforming Iowa Code to the Supreme Court's ruling. "I think the Legislature and the governor have really not done their job. We now have conflicting Supreme Court opinion and law, and I personally I would like to see the Legislature address the issue," supervisor Steve Burgmeier said. The resolution he drafted Friday was reviewed and amended by the county attorney and assistant county attorney. "It may not do what I want it to do, but it does what the county attorney says I can have it do, and that's important," Burgmeier said. Assistant county attorney Pat McAvan said the board has the ability to lobby the Legislature for action, and it's not uncommon for the board to do so. "You're certainly allowed to do this. What you're not allowed to do is make legislation on this issue," he said. Supervisor Dick Reed said certain issues should take into account the voices of everyone concerned and he supports a public vote on the issue of same-sex marriage. "My concern is that the Legislature in this state and the governor in this state have taken a position where they've stated that because the court has issued an opinion, that somehow or another that has become the law of the land. I'm sorry, but I don't accept that premise," supervisor Lee Dimmitt said. For the complete article, see the Monday, April 27, 2009, Fairfield Ledger. http://tinyurl.com/d32gav http://goldentrianglenewspapers.com/articles/2009/04/27/fairfield_daily_ledger/top_stories/doc49f60d0051629780627547.txt Jefferson County Supervisors this morning unanimously passed a resolution this morning asking lawmakers to take action against same-sex marriage. "We expect the Iowa legislature to resolve the issue," said Stephen Burgmeier, chairman of the three-member, all-Republican board. "We hope it either leads to a public vote or to a constitutional amendment." About 40 people attended the 7:30 a.m. meeting, a meeting that typically attracts three or four people, Burgmeier said. Almost all at the meeting were against same-sex marriage, he said. A group of residents also brought a petition that asks County Recorder Charlotte Fleig to deny the licenses. Fleig acknowledged that she was aware of the petition but hadn't received it as of 9 a.m. this morning. She said she will issue the licenses but, as of 9 a.m., no same-sex couples had requested a license although there was at least one same-sex couple who called to inquire about the process. http://tinyurl.com/coczoh http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090427/NEWS/90427010/0/NEWS11