Iowa GOPers: Cut pay of justices who made gay marriage decision

[marmar]

Several Republicans in the Iowa House of Representatives are pushing to cut the pay of the Iowa Supreme Court justices who ruled in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage in 2009 — though they contend that it’s not meant to punish the justices.

Rep. Tom Shaw, a Republican, said that the bill was meant “to maintain the balance of power” between the different branches of government in the state. ”We’re just holding them responsible for their decision, for going beyond their bounds,” he said.

The Iowa Gazette reports:

The justices “trashed the separation of powers” with their unanimous Varnum v. Brien decision and implementation of same-sex marriage without a change in state law banning any marriages expect between one man and one woman, added Rep. Dwayne Alons, R-Hull.

Their amendment to House File 120, the judicial branch budget bill, would lower the salaries of the four justices on the seven-member court who were part of the unanimous Varnum v. Brein decision to $25,000 – the same as a state legislator.

“It’s not the merits of what they said in that decision,” Alons said. ........................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.salon.com/2013/04/24/iowa_gopers_cut_pay_of_justices_who_made_gay_marriage_decision/

[RC]

1. In other words the Justices got too uppity and needed to be taken down a few notches.

Yeah, that the way to maintain the balance of power. Yes sir Charley, ya betcha.