April Advisory Vote
The Constitution of the State of Alaska clearly states that “all political power is inherent in the people.” In October of last year, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled in favor of granting employee benefits to same-sex couples, in effect undermining this constitutional provision and establishing its own will as having precedent over the will of the people of Alaska.
I believe the court deliberately ignored the message sent by Alaskan voters in 1998 when citizens overwhelmingly voted to amend the Constitution to read that “a marriage may only exist between a man and a woman.” I believe the key to correcting this misdeed and reestablishing the constitutionally guaranteed series of checks-and-balances is the April 3rd advisory vote on same- sex benefits. I will vote “YES” on the April ballot in order to give legislators the extra push toward amending the constitution again.
Some objections to the vote are based on three different ideas:
1. The advisory vote is estimated to cost one million dollars; the legislature can find a better purpose for the money.
The Supreme Court has ordered Alaskans to pay for a benefit that the majority of people disagree with philosophically. Once the state requires same-sex benefits for partners of state employees, it is only a few more legal steps until private businesses are forced to provide the same benefits lest they “discriminate”. Such a broad-reaching policy decision deserves to be openly debated in a broad public venue – that debate costs money. I believe there is no better way for Alaska’s money to be spent than by furthering the will of the people.
2. Objection to same-sex benefits is a result of religious bigotry.
The issue at hand is not the morality of homosexuality, but rather the court’s deliberate misinterpretation of the will of the people of Alaska. The people voted that same sex unions are not the same as a marriage. The court set no mandates for proof of commitment other than a state employee’s designation on a form.
3. A special election will weary already skeptical voters.
Weariness is not an excuse for apathy. I am weary after every session, but the people elect me to support and defend the Constitution, and I believe fighting for this advisory vote does exactly that.
I believe the court deliberately ignored the message sent by Alaskan voters in 1998 when citizens overwhelmingly voted to amend the Constitution to read that “a marriage may only exist between a man and a woman.” I believe the key to correcting this misdeed and reestablishing the constitutionally guaranteed series of checks-and-balances is the April 3rd advisory vote on same- sex benefits. I will vote “YES” on the April ballot in order to give legislators the extra push toward amending the constitution again.
Some objections to the vote are based on three different ideas:
1. The advisory vote is estimated to cost one million dollars; the legislature can find a better purpose for the money.
The Supreme Court has ordered Alaskans to pay for a benefit that the majority of people disagree with philosophically. Once the state requires same-sex benefits for partners of state employees, it is only a few more legal steps until private businesses are forced to provide the same benefits lest they “discriminate”. Such a broad-reaching policy decision deserves to be openly debated in a broad public venue – that debate costs money. I believe there is no better way for Alaska’s money to be spent than by furthering the will of the people.
2. Objection to same-sex benefits is a result of religious bigotry.
The issue at hand is not the morality of homosexuality, but rather the court’s deliberate misinterpretation of the will of the people of Alaska. The people voted that same sex unions are not the same as a marriage. The court set no mandates for proof of commitment other than a state employee’s designation on a form.
3. A special election will weary already skeptical voters.
Weariness is not an excuse for apathy. I am weary after every session, but the people elect me to support and defend the Constitution, and I believe fighting for this advisory vote does exactly that.
posted by Senator John Coghill at
8:58 AM
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