Cleveland advances to next round in bid to host 2016 Republican National Convention
Cleveland learned this afternoon they have advanced to the next round in the bid to host the 2016 Republican National Convention.
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Cleveland advances to next round in bid to host 2016 Republican National Convention - Video
HARRISBURG, Pa. The Republican governor of Pennsylvania has decided not to appeal a federal ruling striking down the Commonwealths ban on same-sex marriage, stating that he felt it would be extremely unlikely that he would succeed.
As a Roman Catholic, the traditional teaching of my faith has not wavered. I continue to maintain the belief that marriage is between one man and one woman, Gov. Tom Corbett said in a statement released on Wednesday. [But] my duties as governor require that I follow the laws as interpreted by the courts and make a judgment as to the likelihood of a successful appeal.
Given the high legal threshold set forth by Judge Jones in this case, the case is extremely unlikely to succeed on appeal. Therefore, after review of the opinion and on theadviceof my Commonwealth legal team, I have decided not to appeal Judge Jones decision, he stated. It is my hope that as the important issue of same-sex relationships continues to be addressed in our society, that all involved be treated with respect.
As previously reported, a federal judge appointed by then-President George W. Bush, who is known for his 2005 ruling against the teaching of Intelligent Design in public schools, has struck down a Pennsylvania law banning same-sex marriageon Tuesday.
We are a better people than what these laws represent, and it is time to discard them into the ash heap of history, wrote U.S. District Court Judge John Edward Jones II on Tuesday. We now join the 12 federal district courts across the country, which, when confronted with these inequities in their own states, have concluded that all couples deserve equal dignity in the realm of civil marriage.
The lawsuitWhitewood v. Corbettwas filed by the ACLU last July in an attempt to strike down Pennsylvanias longstanding ban.The lawsuit consists of over 20 plaintiffs, including four homosexual twosomes who were married in other states, but are not recognized as a couple in Pennsylvania.
It is hereby declared to be the strong and longstanding public policy of this Commonwealth that marriage shall be between one man and one woman, Pennsylvanias Marriage Between Persons of the Same Sex statute outlines. A marriage between persons of the same sex which was entered into in another state or foreign jurisdiction, even if valid where entered into, shall be void in this Commonwealth.
Corbett ended up defending the Commonwealthalonewith the assistance of General Counsel James Schultz and teamas Attorney General Kathleen Kane refused to fight the legal challenge,agreeing with the ACLUs position that the law is unconstitutional. But following Corbetts decision to now end the battle, some are expressing disapproval, stating that they are outraged that the governor has chosen the easy road.
If you did a poll in Pennsylvaniaa poll with a fair question that asked, Do you agree with or disagree with the traditional definition of marriage? I would bet you that most Pennsylvanians would agree with that, attorney Randy Wenger of the Independence Law Center told OneNewsNow. Unfortunately, we have a single judge who struck down our marriage law and a governor whos not willing to defend it.
To allow Pennsylvanias DOMA be struck down without a fight is beyond belief. The majority of Pennsylvanians know marriage is only between one man and one woman, and to not appeal the decision sends the message that the governor does not hold that strong belief. If he did, he would fight for it, said Diane Gramley, president of the American Family Association of Pennsylvania. To rewrite Pennsylvanias marriage laws is the responsibility of the legislature, not an unelected judge. We have been reduced to an oligarchy rather than a representative republic.
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Republican Pa. Governor Wont Appeal Ruling Striking Same-Sex Marriage Ban
Updated below with partial transcript of Rauner presser.
Republican governor candidate Bruce Rauner on Thursday accused Democrats ruling Springfield of not having a plan to deal with the states shaky finances, even as he promised to provide his own proposal in due time, at the right time, "long before the election and soon.
Rauner, who has made similar pledges on a variety of key issues facing Illinois during his 15 months on the campaign trail, occasionally brushed off with nervous laughter questions from reporters pressing for details of his tax and spending plans after an appearance before a group of Chinatown business executives.
Earlier this week, Rauner accused Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn and the Democratic legislative majority of playing political games with the issue of making permanent the 2011 income tax increase that is set to roll back in January and basing a preliminary budget that included revenues from the levy before the tax hike had been made permanent.
Rauner has campaigned on allowing the income tax hike to roll back as scheduled and is paying for automated telephone calls to voters in the districts of Democratic lawmakers urging opposition to making the tax increase permanent.
But the Republican governor hopeful also has said he would not provide details of an alternative until after lawmakers had adjourned their spring legislative session, set for months end.
Asked by reporters Thursday for details on his own proposal for a state budget without the estimated $4 billion in annual revenue the tax hike would provide Rauner repeatedly said specific plans were in the works.
We will be coming out with our plans and our recommendations long, long before the election and the voters will have a clear choice, the Republican nominee said.
Asked what was taking him so long to give specifics on how to deal with the long-scheduled elimination of the tax hike, Rauner said, We will be coming out with our plan in due time long before the general election on Nov. 4.
Asked what due time meant, Rauner replied, At the right time.
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Rauner: Specifics coming 'in due time'
Democracy Now! U.S. and World News Headlines for Monday, May 19
Visit http://www.democracynow.org to watch the entire independent, global news hour. This is a summary of news headlines from the U.S. and around the world on Monday, May 19, 2014. Visit the...
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India Jones and the Election of Doom - A Festival of Democracy
Jason Jones travels to the largest democracy in the world to cover India #39;s elections, which had a higher voter turnout than America has seen in over a century. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart...
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India Jones and the Election of Doom - A Festival of Democracy - Video