Anti-Gay Marriage Bill Raises Fiscal Concerns
House Bill 1745, by Rep. Cecil Bell (R-Magnolia), seeks to bar Texas officials from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples or recognizing their marriages—regardless of whether courts determine the state’s ban is unconstitutional.
More than a dozen witnesses gave nearly two hours of sometimes emotional testimony during a hearing on the bill—also known as “the Preservation of Marriage and Sovereignty Act”—before the House Committee on State Affairs. They debated the “biblical” definition of marriage, religious freedom and the principles of U.S. government, such as states’ rights, federalism and checks and balances.
However, the bill’s fate may ultimately hinge on something far more simple: dollars and cents.
HB 1745 would shift authority over marriage licenses from county clerks to the secretary of state, prompting a representative from the County and District Clerks’ Association of Texas to testify against it.
Read more: http://www.texasobserver.org/anti-gay-marriage-bill-raises-fiscal-concerns/#.VRQocc09oXk.twitter
[font color=green]As an example, Dallas county would lose about $1.3 million in marriage license fees if the bill were adopted.[/font]
