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Senate tables marriage bill because of Josephs' stance against it

HARRISBURG, May 7 – Just days after opponents rallied in the state Capitol against legislation that would define marriage in the state constitution, the state Senate postponed indefinitely a vote on the legislation after its sponsor acknowledged it would be virtually impossible for the bill to see action in the House.

State Rep. Babette Josephs is applauding the Senate's decision.

"At a time when Pennsylvanians are worried about the price of gasoline and whether they can afford to put food on their table, or if their children are getting a good education, defining marriage is not something that takes priority," Josephs said. "Pennsylvania already has a law defining it; adding it to the state constitution is unnecessary, discriminatory and a waste of taxpayer dollars."

Sen. Michael Brubaker, R-Lancaster, said Tuesday evening on the Senate floor that he was informed the House would refer his bill to the State Government Committee and based on that information, "the chairman of the State Government Committee would not allow Senate Bill 1250 to be considered by the committee in a timely manner…It has become apparent as the issue stands today that Senate Bill 1250 will not leave the House."

Josephs chairs the House State Government Committee.

"If my committee were to receive this bill, it would get the attention it deserves, but I'm glad to learn that the proposal has stalled in the Senate," said Josephs, who has been acknowledged as the chief critic of the legislation, which would ban same-sex marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships.

"Discrimination should not be written into our state constitution," she said. "Pennsylvania does not need to treat gay and lesbian people as second-class citizens. We should value the life and contributions of all of our citizens; Pennsylvania should be a place where everybody wants to live, work and visit.

"The State Government Committee continues to focus on forwarding to the full House legislation on issues that residents have repeatedly said were a priority -- measures that would create jobs, provide access to health care, improve education -- legislation that can make a positive difference in the lives of all Pennsylvanians," she said.

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