The latest twist, a new amendment being offered by Del. John A. Olszewski Jr. a Baltimore County Democrat.
The amendment strikes language in the bill that spells out what religious programs â including counseling and summer camp â are shielded from having to provide services to same-sex couples. By taking out those specifications, Olszewski believes, the overall religious protections would be stronger.
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Asked whether he would support the marriage bill if his amendment is accepted, Olszewski said, "I can't say that at this point."
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Del. Kathleen M. Dumais, a Montgomery County Democrat and the House floor leader for the bill, said in committee that she considers Olszewski's amendment "friendly" â one that enhances or clarifies the original legislation but does not alter its intent.
But Eastern Shore Republican Del. Michael D. Smigiel said committee members should be clear about what's happening with Olszewski: "A deal has been made that I'll give you my vote for this amendment."
And on an odd-side note, I was calling people through EqualityMaryland in Del. Olszewski's (pronounced O-shle-ski, least to my ears) district on Monday. Kinda cool to me.
The vote is expected to be within one or two votes of passage or FAILURE. It can fail. Please, go to EqualityMaryland (that link may not work based on your location) or here to locate your (or someone you know) delegates. Please help us pass marriage in Maryland so it can spread across the country.
The bill has been redone a bit.
Some portions:
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a religious organization, association, or society, or any nonprofit institution or organization operated, supervised, or controlled by a religious organization, association, or society, may not be required to provide services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods, or privileges to an individual if the request for the services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods, or privileges is related to: (1) the solemnization of a marriage or celebration of a marriage that is in violation of the entity’s religious beliefs; or (2) the promotion of marriage, through religious programs, counseling, educational courses, summer camps, and retreats, in violation of the entity’s religious beliefs. (b) A refusal by an entity described in subsection (a) of this section to provide services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods, or privileges in accordance with subsection (a) of this section may not create a civil claim or cause of action or constitute the basis for the withholding of governmental benefits or services from the entity
To me, this and other portions don't seem like much to worry about. It places more religious protection. Organizations, like the Knights of Columbus, don't have to rent out their halls for ceremonies if they don't want to.
As for Del. Olszewski, he represents the southeast portion of Baltimore County, Dundalk for the locals. That area is mostly old school Democratic, with lots of blue-collar union households. Del. Olszewski also has voted and worked for other progressive legislation since winning office in 2006, at 24yr old.
I'm thinking this is more about helping to provide some cover for many of the delegates who support the idea of marriage, just didn't expect to be held to it this year.
A week after the mid-term shellacking, at one of my Democratic clubs, I asked Del. Lafferty on marriage's chances the upcoming session. And he was frank in stating that it had no chance to be brought up and most focus would be on the budget.
Well, as it turned out, the president of the Senate, Mike Miller, changed the balance on the Senate Judiciary committee to now hold a majority of pro-marriage senators. After the ball got rolling in the Senate, many elected officials who were co-sponsors then had to own up to it. This is what likely lead to all the reversals and delayed votes from prior allies. If you campaign and win on a pro-gay marriage stance, vote that way regardless of the makeup of your district, because you really only draw negative attention to yourself by wavering or reversing. They thought they could just get away with lip service to the LGBT community.