| Show Vote Notes 2004 Proposed Constitutional Amendments Aaron Weight Community Editor Vote Notes 2004 is a series of oj articles sorting through the candidates and issues facing voters November 2 2 This weeks week's article will discuss discuss discuss dis dis- cuss the proposed constitutional constitutional amendments Utah voters have more on their hands than picking who will represent them on election election election elec elec- tion day In addition to choosing candidates for political political ical office voters will find three proposed amendments to the Utah Constitution on on the ballot in November The third and most controversial controversial controversial contro contro- amendment would specifically define marriage as the legal union between a aman aman aman man and a woman Amendment 3 also states that no other domestic union may be recognized as a marriage or given the same or substantially substantially substantially equal legal effect While most agree with the definition of legal marriage in the first sentence there are a wide range of opinions regarding the necessity necessity necessity sity and effects of the second sentence I strongly support a Constitutional Amendment preserving this definition of traditional marriage said gubernatorial candidate John Huntsman Jr in a press release on Aug 24 2004 I plan to personally vote for Amendment 3 While the language of Amendment 3 does not specifically deny the rights of visitation inheritance protectIve protective protective tive orders and others opponents opponents opponents are worried that the wording of the amendment will prohibit lawmakers from addressing these issues for traditional non-traditional couples who do not meet the amended definition definition definition def def- of marriage Current state Attorney General Republican Mark Shurtleff agreed with the definition definition definition def def- of marriage but rejected reject reject- ed the amendment as a whole because it goes too far I oppose sex same-sex marriage marriage marriage mar mar- and support the legislature legisla legisla- ture in putting forth an amendment which forever defines marriage as only between one man and one woman said Shurtleff This amendment goes too far It could forever deny to a group of citizens the right to approach its legislature to seek benefits and protections That is bad law and should be rejected by the minded fair-minded citizens of the state of Utah Shurtleff is not alone in hi his opposition of Amendment 3 His Democratic challenger Gregory also believes the amendment would deny rights and lead to unnecessary and costly litigation litigation litigation tion for the state The other two amendments on the ballot have not drawn much attention from activists and politicians Amendment 1 specifies how the Utah House of Representatives and Utah Senate handle impeachment proceedings If this am amendment amendment amend amend- nd- nd ment passes Representatives would be authorized to convene convene convene con con- vene for impeachment purposes purposes purposes pur pur- poses if two-thirds two of the Representatives are in in favor of convening The Senate would be required to convene for a trial of impeachment if the House of Representatives has voted to impeach Amendment 1 also allows the same compensation for impeachment proceedings as asfor asfor asfor for the annual legislative general general general gen gen- eral session and would delete an outdated reference to justices of the peace in an impeachment provision The second proposal Amendment 2 would authorize authorize authorize autho autho- the state or state-funded state colleges and universities to trade intellectual property for ownership interest in private businesses This would allow the state and state-funded state institutions of higher education education education tion to hold stock in a company compa compa- ny in exchange for the use of intellectual property The interest earned from the stock would then be used to fund the higher education programs programs programs pro pro- grams of the e state Passing Amendments 1 and 2 will only subtlety change the to day-to-day operation of the state If voters pass Amendment 3 however they will likely see ee a drastic change over the long As with all election issues voters are encouraged to arm themselves themselves themselves them them- selves with the best knowledge knowledge knowledge knowl knowl- edge available before heading to the polls |
