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Healthcare Bill Becomes Anti-Prop 8 Measure Tell Assembly Judiciary Committee: Vote No on SB 54 Because of a legislative slight of hand tactic called "gut and amend", we are called on once again to defend Prop 8 in the California Legislature. A hearing on SB 54, a bill to recognize same-sex "marriages" from other states is scheduled to be heard in the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Thursday, July 9. The bill authored by Senator Marc Leno (D- San Francisco) started as healthcare legislation, passed the Senate floor, moved to the Assembly where it passed the Health Committee. On its way to the Assembly Judiciary Committee, something changed – EVERYTHING CHANGED. All the original language was stripped out and an attack in Prop 8 was substituted -- after it had been reviewed by three legislative committees and passed the Senate as a completely different bill. The bill seeks to recognize same-sex “marriages” from other states. If the out-of-state same-sex “marriages” took place after the passage of Prop 8, all of the rights and privileges would still be recognized, except for the use of the word “marriage”. This is a clear violation of Article I, section 7.5 of the California Constitution (Prop 8) that reads, “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” The California Supreme Court has already upheld Prop 8. We understand that Senator Leno is telling members of the legislature that SB 54 merely codifies the Supreme Court ruling on Prop 8 holding that same-sex “marriages” that took place between June 16 and November 4, 2008 when Prop 8 passed were still valid. The Court specifically stated that their ruling had no effect on same-sex “marriages” from other states or countries (page 135, note 46). If SB 54 passes, it will create a flimsy basis for new legal challenges that will waste more taxpayer money fighting the clearly expressed will of the voters on traditional marriage. This is particularly outrageous at a time when the state is forced to cut deeply into funding for vital human needs because of the current budget crisis. ACTION SB 54 will be heard by the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Thursday, July 9, before Friday's legislative deadline for bills to be reported out of policy committees. Call or fax members of this committee right away. Tell them to stop trying to overturn the will of the voters and vote “No” on AB 54. A list of Judiciary Committee Members is posted below. Support CCGI's Education and Training Programs Proposition 8 is under attack in the courts and the legislature, and opponents are busy organizing a grassroots effort to go back the the ballot box. Catholics for the Common Good Institute, with the help of over 100 CCG County Co-chairs, is working hard to train and form an army of marriage advocates. People who have already completed the training have found that they are able to articulate the importance of marriage to family members and friends in new, positive ways. New advocates are already confidently defending marriage as speakers, spokespersons, and radio talk show guests. Our resources for these efforts are taxed to the limit and we cannot continue without your generous support for this educational effort. We must raise an additional $9,500 this month. Please prayerfully invest in the future of marriage and family today by making tax-deductible donation to Catholics for the Common Good Institute at http://www.ccgaction.org/donate/CCGIdonation. Others simple mail a check to: Catholics for the Common Good InstitutePlease pray for Catholics for the Common Good, its volunteers and all advocates for marriage and family. "Lord, inspire all we do and help us as we do it, so that everything we undertake begins from you and reaches its completion through you." Our Lady of Guadalupe, please pray for us and keep us all under your protection.. Remember to call members of the Assembly Judiciary Committee below. For the Common Good, Bill May Chairman, Catholics for the Common Good 415 651 4171 415 738 0421 (Fax) Please call Assembly Judiciary Committee Members today: Mike Feuer (D-AD42), Chairman Phone: (916) 319-2042 Fax: (916) 319-2142 Van Tran (R-AD68), Vice-Chairman Phone: (916) 319-2068 Fax: (916) 319-2168 Julia Brownley (D- AD41) Phone: (916) 319-2041 Fax: (916) 319-2141 Noreen Evans (D- AD7) Phone: (916) 319-2007 Fax: (916) 319-2107 Dave Jones (D- AD9) Phone: (916) 319-2009 Fax: 916 319 2109 Steve Knight (R-AD36) Phone: (916) 319-2036 Fax: (916) 319-2136 Paul Krekorian (D-AD43) Phone: (916) 319-2043 Fax: (916) 319-2143 Ted Lieu (D-AD53) Phone: (916) 319-2053 Fax: (916) 319-2153 Bill Monning (D-AD27) Phone: (916) 319-2027 Fax: (916) 319-2127 Jim Nielsen (R-AD2) Phone: (916) 319-2002 Fax: (916) 319-2102 |
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