Senate, Assembly Resolutions Support Proposition 8 Repeal

[Newsjock]

Source: Pink News

SACRAMENTO – On the second day of the new 2009-10 legislative session, lawmakers in both the Senate and Assembly introduced resolutions that support the overturning of Proposition 8. Senator Mark Leno, D-San Francisco and Assemblymember Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco, today introduced measures to put the Legislature on record opposing Prop 8 and declaring that the initiative is an improper revision to the Constitution.

Both resolutions are sponsored by Equality California and were drafted by EQCA and the National Center for Lesbian Rights, plaintiff and lead counsel, respectively, in the marriage case brought before the California Supreme Court.

... “Proposition 8’s revision to the California Constitution violates key structural checks and balances built into our legal system,” said Sen. Leno. “Overnight, the constitutional protections of thousands of tax paying, law abiding California citizens were stripped from them by a simple majority vote, without a prior two-thirds vote by both houses of the legislature, thereby trampling on their fundamental right to equal protection.”

“Any major revision to the state Constitution should not be allowed to circumvent the legal system,” said Assemblymember Ammiano. “The fact is, Proposition 8 was improperly instituted through the ballot process without legislative involvement. I am proud to author this crucial resolution urging the courts to right the social travesty of Proposition 8 and ensure any similar future measures are approached in an appropriate and legal manner.”

Read more: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/aroundtheworld/2008/12/senate-assembly-resolutions-support-proposition-8-repeal/

[TheWraith]

1. Maybe you should reconsidering amending your constitution via 50% plus one, folks.

That's a REALLY dangerous system.

[FiveGoodMen]

2. No shit!

Should never be an option.

[ksimons]

3. after reading the GOP majority State Supreme Court's decision -

I think there is no way they can let the change to the constitution stand. They were very specific that even the legislature couldn't vote to strip citizens of basic civil rights and that was why the court is a check and balance on such issues, no matter if this is decided to be a simple or major change to the constitution.

It was not even vague in the court opinion, and it bodes well for what they will decide on prop 8

120+ pages but a good read

[Hepburn]

5. Thanks for the info...

I have high hopes that the Cal Supremes will get rid of H8!

:hi:

[jody]

11. Please identify the decision you reference so I can read it. Thanks, n/t

[Ian David]

4. Do we think Der Gropenfuhrer will veto this again? n/t

[David__77]

6. Resolutions don't go to the governor.

These are "symbolic" measures rather than statutory law.

[Ian David]

8. Oh. So then this is a pointless feel-good exercise?

Or can this actually help somehow?

[TechBear_Seattle]

10. It actually can help

Resolutions have no legal force, but they do represent the collective will of the Assembly and Senate. As such, they carry a great deal of weight. That weight will be considered by the media, the people and (hopefully) the courts.

[proud progressive]

7. DOWN GOES THE MORMON! (howard cosell)

[TechBear_Seattle]

9. Only thousands? Try hundreds of thousands, at least. n/t