Category: Legislative Issues

Legislative Issues

Schuylkill County Clerk Files Motion to Intervene in Marriage Lawsuit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Schuylkill County Clerk Files Motion to Intervene in Marriage Lawsuit

 

This afternoon, Jim Smith and David Crossett, attorneys with the Smith Law Group, LLC, located in Fleetwood, Berks County, Pennsylvania, and Jeff Conrad, attorney with Clymer, Musser & Conrad, P.C., located in Lancaster County, on behalf of Theresa Santai Gaffney, Clerk of the Orphan’s Court of Schuylkill County, filed a Motion to Intervene in Whitewood v. Wolf, the case in which a single federal District Judge declared unconstitutional for all Pennsylvanians, the Commonwealth’s longstanding definition of marriage as between one man and one woman. Theresa Santai Gaffney, Clerk of the Orphan’s Court, is seeking intervention in the case so that the ruling can be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

 

Governor Corbett, who had been defending the law, declined to appeal the ruling. “An appeal is necessary so that the judicial process is not abandoned,” stated Ms. Gaffney. “The people of Pennsylvania deserve to hear from the Court of Appeals on this important issue because a single judge should not be able to nullify the will of the majority without an appeal.”

 

Marriage between one man and one woman has always been the law in Pennsylvania. “I respect the law of our Commonwealth and the will of the people reflected in the law,” said Ms. Gaffney. “I believe that the voice of those who think that our law is constitutional and best serves all citizens of the Commonwealth should be heard.”

 

“Due to the uncertainty of the state of the law, I will continue issuing marriage licenses to all couples,” said Ms. Gaffney.

 

One of the reasons that she is seeking to intervene in this case is to obtain clarity about her official duties.

 

The Motion to Intervene asks the Court for the ability to join the lawsuit for purposes of appeal.

Representative Daryl Metcalfe sent out a Co-sponsorship Memoranda asking for co-sponsors to a resolution “Urging Governor Corbett to Defend State’s Rights.”

Late yesterday afternoon Representative Daryl Metcalfe sent out a Co-sponsorship Memoranda asking for co-sponsors to a resolution “Urging Governor Corbett to Defend State’s Rights.”

The memo outlines Judge Jones’ usurpation of power and Governor Corbett’s decision not to appeal Jones’ decision as “a harmful precedent.” It also notes that last June’s US Supreme Court ruling in United States v. Windsor affirms that the “federal government may not interfere with a state’s definition or regulation of marriage   http://libertyactioncenter.com/campaign/53900ce9-4a64-4133-b9f7-2a7932741282

Politico is right: gay marriage will destroy the Republican Party

May 31, 2014

Politico is right: gay marriage will destroy the Republican Party

By Bryan Fischer

Follow me on Twitter: @BryanJFischer, on Facebook at “Focal Point”

 

Yesterday, Politico featured a David Lampo piece, Gay Marriage Will Destroy the GOP. Politico is exactly right that gay marriage will destroy the GOP, but for precisely the opposite reason Lampo imagines.

Lampo’s argument is that if the GOP does not embrace gay marriage, it is doomed. The truth of the matter is exactly the opposite: embracing gay marriage will doom the GOP and consign it to the ash heap of history.

Politico wants us to believe the tide of history is inevitable, and the GOP either must get on board the gay love boat or get swept out to sea where it will disappear beneath the waves.

It would be one thing if Politico had the best interests of the Republican Party at heart, but it does not.

It’s almost amusing to see these wingerleft extremists wring their hands and furrow their brows with such anxiety that the GOP might be harming itself. They care so much, you see, they are even willing (continue reading)

We have pulled out all the stops to get your message to Gov. Corbett and his top staff.

PA Marriage

Below you can read a press statement we just released to the media to express our dismay at the decision by Gov. Tom Corbett not to appeal yesterday’s court ruling redefining marriage in Pennsylvania.

We have pulled out all the stops to get your message to Gov. Corbett and his top staff. I urge you to continue to call, write and email Gov. Corbett to express your disappointment at his decision, and encourage him to reconsider. As stated below, one unelected judge should not become the de facto legislature and governor in Pennsylvania and impose his redefinition of marriage on all of us.

Gov. Corbett should and must take up the mantle and fight for marriage between one man and one woman, which he says he still believes in. Appealing the court decision is how to demonstrate that.

In the meantime, I assure you that on your behalf we are looking at every avenue to protect marriage, to defend it in the media and the public, and to prepare, should Judge Jones’s decision stand, to fight to protect your religious liberty and the rights of families of children in Pennsylvania.

Please take time to contact Gov. Corbett, your state representative and senator, and pray.

Sincerely,

 

Michael Geer, President

P.S. Please keep up the contacts to the Governor’s office. And if you are able, we could use your most generous contribution at this critical time as we partner with you in defense of marriage. DONATE HERE

P.P.S We have resources available for pastors and churches who want to continue to promote marriage. Visit http://www.pafamily.org/pastors.

Judge Strikes Down Defense of Marriage Act in Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Pastors Network Says Decision Undermines States’ Constitutional Rights and Goes against God’s Law for Marriage

PHILADELPHIA—A Federal judge this afternoon struck down Pennsylvania’s Defense of Marriage Act—deciding that same-sex marriage will no longer be banned in the state.

Judge John Jones III ruled to strike down the Act in the case of Whitewood v. Wolf, which was filed last summer in U.S. District Court in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

“In a continuing trend of federal judicial activism, the court has arrogantly assumed the right to supersede the constitutional right of the states,” said Sam Rohrer, President of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network (PPN, http://www.papastors.net) and the American Pastors Network (APN, http://www.AmericanPastorsNetwork.net).  “This should scare anyone who loves freedom because by its action, the federal court has overruling the constitutional right of the states to determine this issue or any other issues for themselves.

“While this case specifically concerned marriage, one thing is for sure: God hasn’t changed His definition of marriage, (continue reading)

2014 Spring Primary Voter Guide (Don’t forget May 20th is PA Primary Election Day)

PA Family Institute

 

Family Update – Thursday, May 15, 2014
Voter’s Guide Launched
The Pennsylvania Family Institute’s Primary Voter’s Guide is live at pafamilyvoter.com. See where the candidates in your area stand on key issues such as:

  • Protecting unborn children when capable of feeling pain.
  • Adding special rights to state law based on “sexual orientation” and “gender identity.”
  • Taxpayer funding for abortion businesses.
  • The definition of marriage.
  • The adoption of Common Core standards.
  • Direct grants for school choice.

The PFI Voter Guide is a non-partisan information source for you, your family, your church, and your friends who care about the direction of Pennsylvania’s law and culture. It’s based on candidates’ signed responses to our questionnaire, or sitting lawmakers’ voting record on these issues. Share the Voter’s Guide with your friends and church! Tell them to visit www.PAFamilyVoter.com. 

Thank you, as always, for your support, which makes public information projects like this possible. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to PFI so that we can continue to inform voters across Pennsylvania about where candidates stand on the issues that matter to families.