Same-sex marriage amendment defeated in WV House
March 30, 2009 ·
It’s now obvious the Legislature won’t recommend any constitutional amendments for the 2010 general election ballot at this session. The final attempt to change that plan probably came in the House Monday.
Delegate Tim Armstead, R-Kanawha, led the parliamentary effort to force a vote on a same-sex marriage amendment.
Even though he’s a co-sponsor of House Joint Resolution 5, the so-called Marriage Protection Amendment, Majority Leader Brent Boggs, D-Braxton, asked members to reject Armstead’s motion to discharge the committee.
Armstead’s motion to discharge the committee lost on a 67-30 roll call vote despite his claim of urgency.
A bill to raise beer taxes by $9 million a year was one of 67 bills on first or second reading today so they can meet Wednesday’s deadline for the House to pass its own bills. Delegate Don Perdue, D-Wayne County, the lead sponsor, said increased funding is critical.
A bill to map all state cemeteries attracted the only debate among the seven given final approval in the House today. Delegate Robert Beach of Monongalia County said he got the idea during visits to southern coalfields.
Delegate Woody Ireland of Ritchie County objected to the bill’s plan to require county extension agents and 4-H groups to handle this assignment.
That bill passed, 87-11. Southern West Virginia members in the House, such as Raleigh County Delegate Linda Sumner, hope they can get one approved Wednesday to reduce tolls on the West Virginia turnpike.