IA: Gay Marriage Compliance Changes Proposed to Tax Code; GOP Freaks Out

Gay marriage opponents said Friday they plan to read proposed bills more closely from now on to make sure language legalizing same-sex marriage does not make its way into Iowa law surreptitiously. Their heightened awareness was triggered by a situation earlier this week when the state Department of Revenue's tax policy cleanup bill included proposed gender-neutral language regarding married couples in the state tax code - replacing references to "husband and wife" with terms like "married persons" or "spouse" as appropriate to the context.

Department officials said provisions they included in Senate Study Bill 3200 that dealt with marriage were an attempt to conform Iowa’s tax code to case law language stemming from last April’s Iowa Supreme Court ruling. That decision struck down a 1998 statute defining marriage as only between one man and one woman, paving the way for civil marriages of same-sex couples.

Revenue agency officials already have incorporated revised language in Iowa’s 2009 tax forms that allows same-sex couples to file jointly or separately on a joint return and receive the same tax benefits as opposite-gender couples, but the proposed legislative change would have marked the first time that same-sex marriage language would show up in state law.

Full Story from the Sioux City Journal
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IA: 167 Faith Leaders Sign Letter in Support of Marriage Equality

More than 160 faith leaders are weighing in on gay marriage, saying they support such unions and disagree with those who cite the Bible in raising objections. The 167 people, who represent a number of faiths, held a Statehouse news conference Tuesday to argue that unions based on love "must be honored."

The issue has been heated since the Iowa Supreme Court last spring struck down a state law banning gay marriage.

Speakers noted they base their support of same-sex marriage rights on the Bible, although they acknowledge many opponents cite the Bible as the reason for their opposition.

Full Story from the Globe Gazette
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IA: Four Democratic Senators Join Republicans to Push for Gay Marriage Ban

Four Democratic state senators - Dennis Black of Grinnell, Keith Kreiman of Bloomfield, Rich Olive of Story City and Joe Seng of Davenport - broke with their party and signed on to a Republican petition to force a vote on same-sex marriage. But with last week marking the first self-imposed legislative "funnel week" deadline for bills to clear committee to stay eligible for consideration this year, the marriage amendment is officially dead, at least in this form.

Last week, Republicans attempted to use a procedural move, called a discharge petition, to pull Senate Joint Resolution 2001 out of committee and put it before the full Senate for debate and a vote. The bill would begin the process of amending the state's constitution to ban same-sex marriage. All 18 Senate Republicans were joined by Democratic state Sen. Tom Hancock of Epworth in signing the petition.

A similar attempt was made in the state House that also failed to find enough votes to bring a gay marriage ban up for a vote.

Full Story from the Iowa Independent
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IA: House & Senate Reject Gay Marriage Ban

Both the Iowa House and Senate on Tuesday rejected Republican-led efforts to move forward on a resolution to repeal same-sex marriage. The actions were procedural and not direct votes on the issue of marriage. They centered on identical joint resolutions in each chamber seeking to amend the Iowa Constitution to specify the state will recognize only marriage between one man and one woman.

Republicans sought to pull the resolutions out of committees so that they would be placed on the debate calendar and avoid a legislative deadline this week.

No vote was taken on Senate Joint Resolution 2001. However, all 18 Senate Republicans signed a petition circulated by Sen. David Johnson, R-Ocheyedan, as well as one Democratic senator, Tom Hancock, D-Epworth. They needed 26.

Full Story from the Des Moines Register
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IA: 62% Say Gay Marriage Not Worthy of Legislators' Time

A majority of Iowans think the issue of gay marriage doesn't deserve lawmakers' limited time. Among six hot-button topics, a new Iowa Poll shows a majority of Iowans consider only a ban on text messaging while driving worth the Legislature's time during a session shortened by 20 days to cut costs. Iowans are not enthusiastic about devoting time to debates on gay marriage, puppy mills, gun control, payday loans or gambling.

The Democrats who control what comes up for a vote say budget issues will dominate the 2010 session as the recession continues to pinch state revenues. But lawmakers have introduced hundreds of bills on other topics.

Friday marks the first so-called funnel, a deadline that winnows the workload by letting some bills move forward and others die.

Full Story from the Des Moines Register
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IA: GOP To Try to Force Gay Marriage Ban Out of Committee

A legislative push to overturn the Iowa Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage is likely to begin Monday, according to the state’s largest gay-rights organization. After numerous meetings at the Capitol Thursday, Brad Clark, campaign director for One Iowa, told The Iowa Independent that he expects Republican lawmakers in the Iowa House to attempt to bring about a vote on a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage by invoking Rule 60, which allows a majority vote on the floor of the House to pull a bill out of a committee even if the committee has not approved it.

Democratic leadership has repeatedly promised that the legislature would not discuss gay marriage this session. Gay-rights advocates have long believed conservative lawmakers would attempt some procedural move to force a vote on the issue in spite of Democratic opposition.

In the closing days of the 2009 legislative session, Republicans in both the House and Senate made numerous attempts to force a vote on a constitutional ban on gay marriage, including attaching it to a tax proposal and the state’s Health and Human Services budget. Democrats successfully blocked the efforts.

Full Story from the Iowa Independent
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IA: Candidate for Governor Promises to Block All Legislation Until Gay Marriage Repeal Passed

As governor, Rep. Chris Rants would be willing to veto any bill, including the budget, until lawmakers vote on giving Iowans the opportunity to amend the constitution to define marriage. "I would not let the legislature adjourn until they had a straight up or down vote on that issue," said Rants, a Sioux City Republican seeking the party's nomination for governor.

Giving Iowans the opportunity to vote on a constitutional amendment specifying marriage between one man and one woman as the only legal union that is valid or recognized in the state is a key fighting point in the four-way battle for the GOP nomination to take on first-term Democrat Gov. Chet Culver.

He would make it clear during the campaign and in meetings with legislative leaders he would hold the Legislature in session until lawmakers voted on whether the issue should be placed on the ballot, Rants said.

Full Story from the Sioux City Journal
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IA: Republicans Introduce Anti Gay Marriage Resolution in Senate

In the latest move against gay marriage in Iowa, 18 Iowa Senate Republicans have introduced a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment specifying marriage between one man and one woman as the only legal union that is valid or recognized in the state. One of the sponsors, Sen. Merlin Bartz of Grafton, said Thursday's move was important in that it gives Iowa citizens a chance to get the ball rolling. But Bartz conceded Senate Joint Resolution 2001 faces nearly insurmountable odds in being debated during the 2010 session given the steadfast opposition from Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, a Council Bluffs Democrat. Full Story from the Globe Gazette: http://www.globegazette.com/articles/2010/01/15/news/latest/doc4b50698a2d73c829486555.txt#vmix_media_id=9300077

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IA: One Iowa Airing Gay Marriage TV Ads

Received this from One Iowa: On Sunday, Jan. 10, One Iowa will begin airing television ads in the Des Moines metro area to support the freedom to marry for gay and lesbian couples. The ads are set to begin a day before the start of the 2010 legislative session and are coordinated with the launch of One Iowa's new campaign, Equality: Red Blue Purple. "The ad illustrates Iowa's leadership in protecting equal rights for all and builds upon the traditional Iowa values we hold dear," said One Iowa Executive Director Carolyn Jenison. The 60-second ad entitled “This Place” can be found online at www.oneiowa.org. Representatives of One Iowa are available throughout the coming week to talk about the ad and preparations for the upcoming legislative session. The ad run begins on the same day as One Iowa's legislative campaign launch. Equality: Red, Blue, Purple is a coalition of groups with a combined membership of nearly 150,000 Iowans and includes labor, civil rights, and faith groups. A campaign launch is scheduled on Sunday afternoon. EQUALITY: RED, BLUE, PURPLE CAMPAIGN LAUNCH January 10, 2010 Des Moines Social Club 1408 Locust St., Des Moines Doors open 2 p.m., program begins at 3 p.m. Full Text of Ad: There is a quiet strength that comes from this land and its people. Change happens, as in the passing of the seasons, but some things remain the same. People came to this place from many lands, spoke different languages, held different beliefs, but they all held one hope in common – that in this place: they could find freedom. Our Supreme Court has made a decision against discrimination – in favor of freedom. The justices were not divided; they were unanimous in holding up a tradition – that the Constitution of Iowa is meant to protect our freedoms. This will not change religious marriage or how each religion defines that. It does protect civil marriage for same sex couples, and protects the freedoms of all committed couples. And to those outsiders, who want to put discrimination into our Constitution, shame on them. This is a place where people are respected, and a time to protect the freedoms we share. We’re One Iowa, and that’s why we’re proud to have paid for this message. One Iowa is the state’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) advocacy organization, committed to full equality for LGBT individuals, including the freedom to marry. More information at www.oneiowa.org.

IA: 150,000 Iowans Stand for Marriage Equality

One Iowa, Iowa’s largest gay rights group, has announced the formation of a broad coalition of groups opposed to a constitutional amendment to deny civil marriage equality to gay and lesbian couples. The 71 Iowa groups have a combined membership of nearly 150,000 Iowans and include labor, civil rights and faith groups. “Iowans believe in treating their neighbors with respect. That’s why a growing chorus of Iowans is speaking up to say discrimination has no place in the Iowa Constitution,” One Iowa Executive Director Carolyn Jenison said. The announcement comes in advance of Sunday’s Equality: Red Blue Purple campaign kickoff and the beginning of the 2010 Iowa legislative session Monday. Full Story from the Quad City Times: http://www.qctimes.com/news/local/article_360628f8-fb53-11de-b9f8-001cc4c03286.html

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IA: One Iowa Holds Marriage Equality Forum

"If a law gets passed that doesn't affect everyone equally, then it gets looked at by the law, not by what you are taught in church or at home," said Marty Elberg, an attorney from Eagle Grove. "It's what the law says." On April 3, 2009, the Supreme Court of Iowa ruled, through a unanimous decision, that gay and lesbian couples could marry in Iowa. Monday, a forum was conducted by One Iowa at the All Cultures Equal Center on marriage equality. One Iowa, is the state's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender advocacy organization and is committed to full equality for LGBT. Elberg and other individuals came together to share a continuing conversation in the community on same-sex marriage rights. Full Story from Webster City News: http://www.webstercitynews.com/page/content.detail/id/505126.html?nav=5006

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IA: One Iowa Launching New Marriage Equality Campaign

Red or blue, young or old, gay or straight; equality shouldn¹t be a partisan issue. On Jan. 10, the eve of the 2010 legislative session, One Iowa will launch a major legislative campaign to oppose a constitutional amendment that would seek to deny gay and lesbian couples the freedom to marry in Iowa. Equality: Red Blue Purple will highlight broad based opposition to an amendment that would take away civil marriage protections from Iowans and will feature a coalition of organizations and individuals working to stop an amendment. The coalition consists of Democratic and Republican co-chairs joined by labor, civil rights, and faith groups. A full slate of coalition members will be announced in a separate release prior Sunday¹s rally. The campaign will begin with a January 10 kick-off rally at Des Moines Social Club. Full Story from Politics Iowa: http://www.iowapolitics.com/index.iml?Article=180875

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IA: Pro and Anti Gay Marriage Groups Plan Rallies

Both sides of the gay marriage issue are planning events for the start of the new legislative session in January. The Iowa Family Policy Center announced Monday it will hold a two-day event beginning at the state capitol on the second day of the legislative session January 12th. Center spokesman, Brian English, says the event if called “Two Days For Marriage.” He says, “The 12th is an opportunity for the people of Iowa who support marriage, the only definition of marriage, which is one man and one woman, and or the constitutional separation of powers, to come together at the capitol building when all three branches of government are in the same place at the same time.” English says it is a show of solidarity asking the elected leaders to let Iowans vote on the Iowa marriage amendment. The Iowa Supreme Court ruled in April that the state’s ban on same-sex marriage violated the state constitution, and Democrats who control legislative debate say they will not allow a vote on a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. English says they encourage everyone to turn out and tell the elected leaders to allow a vote on the amendment. Full Story from Radio Iowa: http://www.radioiowa.com/2009/12/29/groups-on-both-sides-of-gay-marriage-plan-events-for-legislatures-opening/

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IA: Gay Marriage Foes Plan Rally at January 12th Condition of the State Speech

"Traditional marriage" advocates who demand a vote to amend Iowa’s Constitution plan to leave their calling cards early and often during the 2010 legislative session. Bryan English of Iowa Family Policy Council ACTION said pro-marriage supporters plan to be at the state Capitol en masse on Jan. 12 when Gov. Chet Culver delivers his Condition of the State address to a joint session of the General Assembly with Iowa Supreme Court justices present. The occasion, he said, will mark the first time that all three branches of state government are together in one building since a unanimous Supreme Court ruled April 3 that a state law defining marriage as between one man and one woman was unconstitutional -- clearing the way for same-sex marriages in Iowa. English said his group has been raising money and mobilizing average Iowans to get all 150 state legislators on the record where they stand on passing a resolution that would allow the people to vote on a constitutional amendment on the marriage issue. The effort intensifies when lawmakers convene their 2010 session next month. Full Story from Sioux City Journal: http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/article_d835aa94-95d6-578d-8c86-59f9459b1e9b.html

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IA: Senate Leader Says No Gay Marriage Repeal Vote in 2010

During a taping of the IPTV “Iowa Press” show today, Republican leaders in the two Iowa chambers said they’d push ways to overturn same-sex marriage, which became legal in April following an Iowa Supreme Court ruling. Senate Minority Leader Paul McKinley, R-Chariton, said he’d attempt to air ways to get a state constitutional referendum on marriage before Iowans. At roughly the same time McKinley was recording the show, here in Sioux City Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, was previewing key issues for 2010. After he addressed fiscal matters for the entire length of his remarks, I asked if he would allow a Senate floor debate on marriage. Nope, he quickly answered. Why? “I’m not about to put discrimination into the state constitution,” Gronstal said. So you agree with the court ruling? “Yes.” Full Story from the Sioux City Journal: http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/app/blogs/politically_speaking/?p=1884

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IA: On the Ground in Iowa: Gay Marriage & Politics

Last night, I had the pleasure of serving as moderator of a discussion about the politics of the marriage issue in Iowa. David Redlawsk of Rutgers University and Kathie Obradovich, the Register’s political columnist were interesting panelists. It is difficult for me to summarize what these two bright people said. And, it would be unfair to them for me to try to interpret their remarks. So, I will tell you a few of my impressions and what has stuck with me the day after. The first real test of the marriage issue comes in November 2010. Three Iowa Supreme Court Justices will be on the ballot. A “yes” vote means a Justice will retain his job and a “no” gives the next governor the opportunity to pick a replacement. Since all seven Justices were in agreement on the marriage ruling, opponents of the ruling have three targets. Picking off any or all of the Justices will be a moral victory for their cause. Compared to Maine and some of the other recent marriage “test” states, Iowa’s political landscape is different when it comes to marriage. Because Iowa’s Constitution cannot be changed quickly, the length of the ground war will alter the strategy of both proponents and opponents of same sex marriage. Some would argue the threats and scare tactics that were successful in Maine this year and California last may not be as effective by the time Iowans go to the polls. Full Story from Des Moines Register: http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2009/12/15/marriage-politics/

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IA: Republicans Mad About Robocalls Supporting Gay Marriage

An automated call featuring one of Terry Branstad’s former lieutenant governors asking Republicans to support same-sex marriage has drawn the ire of social conservatives. The calls, which feature the voice of Republican Joy Corning and were paid for by gay rights group One Iowa, say the Iowa Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage continues “Iowa’s tradition of protecting the civil rights of all Iowans.” One of Branstad’s rivals for the 2010 gubernatorial nomination, Bob Vander Plaats, said the calls are another reason to question Branstad’s commitment to opposing same-sex marriage. Full Story from the Iowa Independent: http://iowaindependent.com/22236/corning-auto-calls-infuriate-conservatives

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Religious Right Trying to Build Grassroots Campaign to Repeal Gay Marriage in Iowa

A movement is under way that aims to undo the marriage licenses given to same-sex couples since the Iowa Supreme Court legalized gay and lesbian marriages in April. The process won't be easy. Even before the ruling, the Iowa Family Policy Center worked for years to define marriage as a union of a man and a woman. Doing so requires Iowans to vote on a constitutional amendment. An amendment can't go on a statewide ballot until both chambers of the Iowa Legislature pass a resolution in two consecutive legislative sessions. Full Story from KCCI: http://www.kcci.com/news/21536460/detail.html

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Iowa Gay Couple Reflects on 6 Months of Marriage

Chuck Swaggerty and Jason Morgan were one of six couples who were parties to a court case leading to the April 2 Iowa Supreme Court ruling that made same-sex marriage legal in the state. They believe they were among the first same-sex couples to marry in the state, journeying a county north to be married shortly after 8 a.m. April 27 in the Plymouth County Courthouse in Le Mars. The two had been in a committed relationship for years, Chuck Swaggerty-Morgan said, but they wanted the legal protection that comes from a state-sanctioned marriage. Six months later, their life has changed for the better, they said, for the ability to both be covered by the health insurance Chuck Swaggerty-Morgan has at his job and for being able to adopt children as a couple. Full Story from the Sioux City Journal: http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/article_4b7e075e-b1ba-5a52-a282-8de89cfadea6.html

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One Iowa Working to Defend Gay Marriage

To most Iowans, same-sex marriage, now legal in the state, is not a burning issue that political candidates and legislators should spend precious time and resources on, according to the state's largest gay and lesbian advocacy group. But One Iowa is not taking the situation for granted. The group is criss-crossing the state, urging voters to contact lawmakers to ensure that same-sex marriage remains legal as a result of an Iowa Supreme Court ruling on April 3. "The vast majority of Iowans are concerned about bread-and-butter issues. They don't want to see lawmakers tied up in a contentious two- or three-year fight to amend our constitution," to ban same-sex marriage, said Justin Uebelhor, director of communications for One Iowa, who made a stop in Dubuque on Tuesday. Full Story from TH Online: http://www.thonline.com/article.cfm?id=261091

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