Political Notebook

Kelly working to help defeat marriage amendment

Republican Rep. Tim Kelly is helping craft the strategy to defeat a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage in the state. The Red Wing state lawmaker is serving on the steering committee for Minnesotans United for All Families.

In an interview Tuesday, Kelly said he is believes the best way to defeat the amendment is to make the argument that it would lead to government intrusion in people's personal lives.

"In order to get the message out in a bipartisan way, it can't just be about the issue (of gay rights)," he said. "We have to reach the people who believe government shouldn't be interfering in our lives, which generally speaking is our camp. It's generally more of a conservative stance."

Kelly is joined by one other GOP lawmaker, Rep. John Kriesel of Cottage Grove. Both lawmakers gave impassioned speeches on the House floor against the proposed amendment.

The Red Wing lawmaker said some people on the steering committee may not want to hear his advice because of concerns about "de-gaying" the issue. Kelly said he understands those concerns but he  believes in order to defeat this amendment opponents need to avoid getting "all emotional and hard core into principles about how you personally feel about marriage."

Kelly said he has always believed that the question of gay marriage is a religious issue — not a government issue. His position against the amendment puts him at odds with the majority of his party. He even offered to resign his House leadership position, but Speaker of the House Kurt Zellers said that was not necessary.

Here is a link to Kelly's speech on the House floor against the amendment.

(h/t Briana Bierschbach with Politics in Minnesota)

Dayton symbolically vetoes same-sex marriage ballot question

DFL Gov. Mark Dayton announced today he vetoed a bill that proposes a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage in the state. Despite the veto, it will still be on the November 2012 ballot. That's because constitutional amendments only need do not need the governor's approval to go the voters. The Minnesota Legislature recently passed the measure, which asks voters to decide whether marriage should be defined as solely between a man and a woman.

In a letter sent to Republican leaders, Dayton said he was symbolically vetoing the measure calling it "divisive and destructive." He writes: "I urge Minnesotans to reject this mean-spirited, divisive, un-Minnesotan and un-American amendment."

In his letter, Dayton says this amendment violates the principle of separation of church and state. He said it also goes against the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, which states in part "No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States."

Dayton writes, "All American citizens are entitled to equal rights and protections under the law. That would clearly include the right of a citizen to marry legally the person he or she loves.

Click here to Download Dayton's veto letter