Supporters and opponents of the proposed amendment banning same sex marriage are still waiting on a committee to vote on the measure. And Governor Mike Pence made a definitive statement on the marriage amendment in his State of the State.
The proposed amendment known as HJR-3 made its first legislative stop in the House Judiciary Committee Monday. Lawmakers heard more than three hours of testimony, but did not take a vote.
Committee chair Greg Steuerwald says he wants to give members plenty of time to digest the testimony. He has not said when a vote will take place. Legislative leaders say they’re also using the time to evaluate their options regarding the marriage amendment.
Those options include taking out the amendment’s second sentence, which some are concerned will prohibit domestic partnership benefits. But Governor Mike Pence in his State of the State address called for the debate to end this year, and changing the amendment’s language would likely restart the process, potentially putting the measure on the ballot in 2016, when Pence would be running for reelection.
The House Ways and Means committee heard testimony this week on the House GOP tax cut plan that would allow local governments to exempt the business personal property tax on new purchases. But local officials say any move to decrease their revenues will damage already tight budgets.