Are you kidding me? Pennsylvania "Marriage Protection" Amendment pokes its head out of the ground

Picking up on the money quote

"This is a distraction tactic which will inevitably siphon resources away from these other crucial projects."

Find out how much it costs the state (or local elections boards or whatever the entity is in PA) to hold special elections for such referenda.

I've found the literal fiscal cost to the state (and county election boards here in NC) a nice way of showing certain spineless legislators that they'll actually have to appropriate money to hold a referendum - which takes away money they could appropriate for other purposes.

I'm not sure how elections are funded in PA, but it's another way to grab the attention of folks who may not be that invested in LGBT rights, but would care deeply if their pet issue/project wasn't fully funded (or money wasn't returned to the taxpayer - ahem, Club for Growth) because some taxpayer money was needed to count ballots on a wasteful amendment.

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by: HunterC @ Tue May 19, 2009 at 07:12:17 AM CDT

"special election"?

Why would a special election be needed?  This measure would have to be approved by two consecutive sessions of the legislature (a fairly big hurdle), then go on the ballot for a public vote.  Adding it to the ballot wouldn't cost any more than adding anything else.

Even so, this is what we've come to expect in a state that is one part Philly and Pittsburgh, one part Oklahoma.  We won't see the last of this crap any time soon.

Cynic, n.  A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they ought to be.  
-Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary

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by: QScribe @ Tue May 19, 2009 at 09:57:11 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Correct in some states, but not all

Again, I'm not well-versed in PA ballot law.

In NC, amendments can be put on a "general" ballot at a time like Nov 2009 (not just in Nov 2010), when all districts are not having elections, thus forcing the printing/opening/oversight of balloting in all districts when they would otherwise be closed.  This is the additional cost -- into the millions of dollars in NC -- that a constitutional amendment process demands of the state's treasury.

Some amendments have even been drafted to be put on primary election ballots, but there's an additional cost there as well.

Some legislative appropriators may not like teh gayz, but like their money in their hands to appropriate.

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by: HunterC @ Tue May 19, 2009 at 10:52:39 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Ballots

In Pennsylvania, there are state-wide primaries and general elections every year.  To the best of my knowledge, all precincts are open for both.  Even in rural parts of the state, such as where I previously resided, I've never heard of there not being at least one position up for election due to the array of local and state positions - local government elected representatives, school boards, county positions, and state positions.

In addition, PA ballot questions, which an amendment to the commonwealth's constitution would be, are fairly common.  They're most often in the general election and ask if a given judge, who are elected, should be retained for another term.

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by: sinspiration @ Tue May 19, 2009 at 11:28:56 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Correct

And in addition, paper ballots are not used in PA.  Most of the state's counties have moved to electronic "touch screen" voting machines.  Those that haven't are still using the old mechanical voting machines.  The cost of printing ballots is not a factor here.

Cynic, n.  A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they ought to be.  
-Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary

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by: QScribe @ Tue May 19, 2009 at 14:16:36 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Have they now?

You have me curious; I knew Lackawanna went to paper a couple years ago after a fiasco with their electronic machines - certification was revoked, and they had already sold their mechanical ones for scrap.

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by: sinspiration @ Tue May 19, 2009 at 16:48:27 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Haven't heard about the Lackawanna situation

We went to touch-screen machines here (Allegheny Cty.) several years ago.  It was widely reported at the time that the state had mandated them, and that all counties would be making the transition eventually.  Events in the interim may have changed that--I know there have been scattered reports of problems with them.  But to the best of my knowledge, they're still required.  

Interesting situation.  I've tried checking a few state websites but haven't been able to come up with any definite info.

Cynic, n.  A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they ought to be.  
-Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary

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by: QScribe @ Tue May 19, 2009 at 19:32:01 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

They are going to scurry quickly!

As HB 300 moves along and Marriage Equality is popping up all over the country I'm sure he sees us (PA) as only a dominoe or two away from true marriage protection for everyone. With the New England states and now hopefully NY passing Equality it's in our backyard. And then there is Philadelphia's new ad campaign, 'with love', promoting LGBT tourism to the city.

Wouldn't it be nice if our current legislators had the gumption to follow our founders who provided a place and the common ground to help compose and sign such magnificent documents of equality and rights as The Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution and to house the first Capitol of our nation.    

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by: The Woodrow @ Tue May 19, 2009 at 09:27:50 AM CDT

the loss of my mother last summer

was the final thing I needed to get my dad to put the heinousness of the anti-SSM credo into perspective.  he was visiting my family in LA right before the elections and made it clear he would be mortified if any of them voted for prop h8

back on the ranch in philly neither he nor the remaining parts of my family that are here will support this sort of hatred.  my friends here are of a similar mind (and so are probably all but one of the kids who works for me)

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by: ol cranky @ Tue May 19, 2009 at 09:32:07 AM CDT

Pittsburgh/Alabama/Philadelphia

There is an old description of Pennsylvania that is still fairly true today:  Pennsylvania is comprised of Pittsburgh in the west, Philadelphia in the east, and Alabama in the middle. Need proof? This is the state that put Rick Santorum in the US Senate (but then managed to vote him out).

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by: Richard Rush @ Tue May 19, 2009 at 18:11:09 PM CDT

Not Alabama in the Middle

I would disagree with this characterization with regard to LGBTQ issues.

14 municipalities have enacted anti-discrimination protections across the state.  There are more ordinances in Central PA than Western PA.  We only have Pittsburgh and Erie County (technically Northwestern PA).  Two out of 14 does not quite measure up to this reputation.

Yes, Blair County is in Central PA but the social conservatism that drives this distraction agenda is alive and well in Southwestern Pennsylvania.  Our delegation did not vote very affirmingly when this hit the floor of the House and the Senate in 2006.  

Sue

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by: PghLesbian @ Wed May 20, 2009 at 11:06:33 AM CDT

[ Parent ]