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by Dave Bohon
With Governor Tim Pawlenty’s declaration May 23rd of a special legislative session to wrap up budgetary and other business, Minnesota For Marriage, a coalition of pro-family and religious groups from around the state, moved into high gear to push for the State Senate to pass the Minnesota Marriage Amendment. While the proposed state constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman passed through the House of Representatives early in the session, it was held hostage by the Senate’s DFL majority, and by the regular session’s conclusion May 23rd had failed to reach the floor for consideration. The amendment must pass both legislative houses and go to the people of Minnesota for approval before being added to the state constitution. “The special session is the perfect venue for DFL senators to realize that the people of Minnesota support this amendment,” said Chuck Darrell, communications director for Minnesota For Marriage. “It gives us an opportunity to wage an aggressive campaign to make sure the Senate has every opportunity to pass this amendment, and the Minnesota voters get to vote on it.” A survey in April showed that 63 percent of Minnesotans think they should be allowed to vote on the amendment, and 61 percent said they would vote for its passage if given a chance. A crowd of several thousand pro-family Minnesotans gathered on the lawn of the State Capitol April 20th to show their support for the amendment. Sponsored by Minnesota For Marriage, the rally was designed to demonstrate to state legislators and the public at large the overwhelming support the amendment has among grassroots Minnesotans. Darrell noted that 18 states have passed amendments similar to the one proposed for Minnesota’s constitution. “Every state that has had a marriage protection amendment on the ballot has passed that amendment by a significant margin,” said Darrell. “In fact, no amendment proposal has yet been defeated where the people have had the opportunity to vote on it.” As it did last year, DFL leadership used parliamentary strategy throughout the session to keep the amendment from reaching the floor of the Senate, where amendment proponents were convinced there was sufficient bi-partisan support for passage. “If it came to an up or down vote on the marriage protection amendment, there is little doubt it would pass,” said Minnesota Family Council CEO John Helmberger, a state leader in the amendment effort. Helmberger noted that senators who have consistently blocked the amendment’s passage will be up for re-election in 2006. “That same survey shows a sizeable percentage of Minnesotans will be less inclined to re-elect an incumbent senator who did not actively support their clear wishes to defend marriage in Minnesota.” Among those speaking to the supportive crowd at the Minnesota For Marriage Rally, estimated at between 2,000 and 3,000, was Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The governor noted that in a world of constant, tumultuous change, “marriage between a man and a woman is something that should not change. It’s foundational to our society.” He explained that unlike other states which have passed defense of marriage constitutional amendments through citizen referendums, in Minnesota such an amendment must pass through the State Legislature before it can be placed on the ballot for a vote by the people. “The folks who are standing in the way are in the Minnesota Senate,” said Pawlenty, referring to the DFL Senate leadership. One of the lead obstructionists during the session was Senator Don Betzold (DFL-Fridley), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. During the last week in March, even as the House of Representatives was passing the amendment, Betzold introduced an alternative amendment proposal in an attempt to derail Senator Michele Bachmann’s legitimate Senate version. “Senator Betzold is up to his old tricks in introducing a phony marriage amendment bill,” said Bachmann, recalling similar tactics Betzold employed to block the amendment in 2004. Bachmann explained that the Betzold amendment failed to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman — the whole point of the amendment in the first place. It also deferred a vote by the people on any amendment until the 2008 ballot. “This is pure politics on the part of DFL Senate majority leaders,” explained Bachmann. Betzold also held the Bachmann amendment hostage in the Judiciary Committee, refusing to hold hearings on it, while the DFL leadership canceled a key Senate floor session to block Bachmann’s efforts to bring the marriage amendment to the Senate floor via a simple majority vote. “It all boils down to ‘politics as usual’ for the DFL leadership,” said Darrell. “They know that this is an important issue to their constituents, but they are afraid letting a legitimate marriage amendment pass would give political momentum to their opposition.” Helmberger recalled that during the regular session DFL senators were bombarded with calls, e-mails, and personal visits from constituents pleading with them to protect traditional marriage. “Mostly theses pleas fell on deaf ears,” said Helmberger. “This special session is an important opportunity to communicate with legislators who think they can ignore the wishes of Minnesota’s pro-family core. There is a large number of voters who support the amendment, and it will impact who they vote for.” As the special session got under way, Darrell emphasized the need for voters to contact their State Senators and strongly encourage them to support the marriage amendment when specific legislators ask for its consideration on the floor of the Senate. “When voters speak, legislators listen,” said Darrell. “We need to send a clear message to them now. That message must be unmistakable: Let the People Vote.” |
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Minnesota Family Council / Minnesota Family Institute 2855 Anthony Lane South, Minneapolis MN, 55418-3265 Phone 612.789.8811, FAX 612.789.8858, www.mfc.org |