Constitutional amendment stopped! BIG win for Iowans!

[FreeState]

http://eqfed.org/campaign/ThankYous

Resisting divisive attempts by the extreme right, the Iowa House blocked movement on a Constitutional amendment that aimed to take away the freedom to marry in Iowa. With your help, our fair-minded legislators stood strong, voting 54-44 to get back to work on issues of common concern to Iowa families!

Please thank ALL 54 fair-minded legislators!

We couldn't have done this without you. Let's celebrate this victory and prepare for the work ahead!

[juno jones]

1. K&R! n/t

[pleah]

2. K&R

[Maven]

3. K/R!

[Starry Messenger]

4. k&r

[progressoid]

5. We have just one other little issue to deal with...

Every 10 years we vote on whether to have a constitutional convention. In the past it has failed by large margins but this is a bit of a hot button issue. Hopefully we will still have the momentum to defeat it.



Under the traditional method of amending the state's constitution, 2012 is the earliest an amendment banning gay marriage could be placed on the ballot. But Secretary of State Michael Mauro says in 2010, Iowans can vote to convene a constitutional convention to consider amendments to the document.

"If it were to happen, it opens up many possibilities to make all kinds of amendments," Mauro says. "It's wide open."

If a constitutional convention comes up with an amendment or amendments to place before Iowa voters, a special election could be scheduled in 2011 according to Mauro. Mauro, the state's top election official, says a constitutional convention could not rewrite the entire state constitution and would be restricted to proposing amendments -- but there's no limit on the number of amendments which could be proposed.

"The legislature -- the General Assembly -- would have to put together a way of electing delegates (to a constitutional convention)," Mauro says. "And then these delegates can come back with all different kinds of changes, including putting anything in there, like asking for propositions to be put on the ballot like some of these other states do, to making some very radical changes."

Since 1970, Iowa voters have been asked once a decade whether they are in favor of a convention where amendments to the state's constitution would be drafted. The proposal has overwhelmingly failed in the past four decades, but

Mauro suggests in 2010 gay marriage opponents may unite with others who want to amend the state's constitution, like those who want cities and counties to have authority over large-scale hog lots.

"It opens up a world of possibilities and a lot of maneuvering to see how this process could be put together," Mauro says. "...It's going to provide for very interesting debate, something we've never seen."

http://www.radioiowa.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=7C883752-5056-B82A-37564748D7E4F088