Arizona Marriage Amendent Update: New Bill 'Created': By Mark R. Kerr

This current session of the Arizona Legislature continues, limping towards the 100 day mark, delving into inane, stupid subjects, wasting the taxpayer's time and importantly, money, while other topics such as the state budget and the ever increasing shortfall continue to be "spun" as the clock ticks towards economic oblivion for everyone in the Grand Canyon State.

Even with this economic storm and time of crisis, Arizona's Republican legislators listened to their "handlers," Cathi Herrod and the Center for Arizona Policy (CAP) and have resurrected a proposed state constitutional amendment to be considered on the November general election ballot, defining marriage as between "one man and one woman," state law (A.R.S. 25-101, A.R.S. 25-112) and the decision from Standhardt v. Superior Court notwithstanding. (Cathi's minions just couldn't stand their "Dear Leader" holding her breath until she turned blue if she didn't get her amendment.)

During the weekly meeting of the Arizona House Judiciary Committee. State Representative Eddie Farnsworth (R-Mesa), offered a strike everything amendment to SCR (Senate Concurrent Resolution) 1042, originally intended to declare March 29 as a "Vietnam Veteran Memorial Day," gutting that language and inserting a proposed marriage amendment for the Arizona constitution.

Farnsworth's amendment passed on a party-line vote, 6-4. SCR 1042 will now go to the House Rules Committee, which will review the measure's language to make sure it is legal and could stand a legal challenge if one arose.

Equality Arizona has launched an online action drive, to take action and send your state Representatives and Senator a message, go online here.