Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 19, 2007)
KwM r jrr ARKANSAS y Toddler Marriage Law Upheld A judge upheld Oct. 10 an Arkansas law that inadvertently allows opposite-sex infants to wed. The statute, signed by Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe, can only be changed by the Legislature, ruled Circuit Judge Tom J. Keith. The law intend ed to establish 18 as the minimum age to marry but also allow pregnant teenagers to marry with parental consent. The word “not” contained in the bill, however, allows anyone who is not pregnant to marry at any age if the parents allow it. The law reads, “In order for a person who is younger than 18 years of age and who is not pregnant to obtain a marriage license, the person must provide the county clerk with evidence of parental consent to the marriage.” A code revision commission attempted to correct the technical error, but it decided it was beyond its power. Beebe did not announce plans to An Arkansas law accidentally allowing opposite-sex toddlers to marry was signed by hold a special session to correct the law. Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe. The law does not explicitly exclude same-sex couples from marrying; however, the Arkansas Bakersfield, Lakeport, Modesto, Porterville, Constitution contains an amendment limiting Sacramento, Stockton and Ukiah. marriage to opposite-sex couples. The California Legislature passed the Religious The Christian group that promoted the same-sex Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act twice marriage ban has started collecting signatures for in successive legislative sessions, by increasing a voter initiative to bar gays and lesbians from adopt majorities. Schwarzeneggers veto is a sequel to his ing children or serving as foster parents in Arkansas. veto two years ago. The measure also would prevent unmarried opposite sex couples living together from a adopting or foster Property Tax Protections Upheld ing children. A California Court of Appeal unanimously affirmed the validity of a Board of Equalization rule CALIFORNIA Oct. 3 that protects domestic partners from Schwarzenegger Vetoes increased property taxes when one of the partners Same-Sex Marriage Bill dies and the other inherits the couple’s home. State California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed law has long provided this protection for surviving Assembly Bill 43, authored by Assemblyman Mark heterosexual spouses. Leno, D-San Francisco, Oct. 12. The bill, dubbed The case began in March 2005 when Sutter and rhe Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Orange counties challenged the rule in state court. Protection Act, would have granted gay and Represented by the National Center for Lesbian lesbian Californians the right to marry. Rights, Lambda Legal and the law firm of Munger, Rallies were held throughout the state Oct. 15 Tolles & Olson, Equality California and three at Harvey Milk Plaza in San Francisco and in same-sex couples intervened in the litigation to defend the rule. Orange County later left the liti gation, but Tehama and Madera counties joined it. In 2006, Sacramento Superior Court Judge Jack Sapunor rejected the challenge and upheld the rule, and the assessors appealed. In a decision issued Oct. 3, the Third District of the California Court of Appeal unanimously upheld his ruling. “The panel’s decision means that surviving partners will be able to stay in their homes and not see their property taxes double or even triple,” said Brian Chase, senior staff attorney in Lambda Legal’s Western Regional Office. “We're pleased the appeals court has upheld what nearly everyone agrees on—that same-sex couples deserve the same protections in a crisis as everyone else. The Board of Equalization thought so. The lower court thought so. What’s surprising is that the county assessors challenged the nile in the first place.” After the lawsuit was filed, the California Legislature codified the Board of Equalization rule by enacting Senate Bill 565, authored by state Sen. Carole Migden, D-San Francisco. The hill became effective Jan. 1, 2006. The Court of Appeal decision confirms that both the Board of Equalization and the Legislature have the authority to define what consti California state Sen. Carole Migden, D-San tutes a change of ownership among family members, Francisco, wrote a bill ensuring that domestic including registered domestic partners. © partners are protected from increased property taxes should one partner die and the other inherit the house. Compiled by J aymee R. Cun Enjoy pieces by Lacoste, 7 Diamonds, Ben Sherman. English Laundry, Michael Stars, French Connection, Citizens of Humanity, Joe’s Jeans, William Rast, Chip & Pepper, People's Liberation and many more! Nl?lllUdONl ST 1 POItTLANl) 503-257-575« I 4937 YOl'OHI <>IN.WÎT J Delivery Service Available See Web Site for Details www.SaltysDogShop.com Salty’s Dog & Cat Shop 374Î N. Mississippi Ave Portland, OR 97227 503-249-1432 synergystaging creating inspired spaces Synergy Staging provides designer quality Staging to highlight the appeal of your property so it will sell faster and for more money. Call us for a free proposal so we can make your property irresistible to buyers. For more information please visit our website at www.synergystaging.com 503-557-2244 Nik Murrow, asp , iahsp nik@synergystaging.com Accredited Staging Professional1**
