Texas Representative wants to refuse salaries for anyone issuing same-sex marriage licenses
A Texas Republican had proposed a bill to remove the salaries from clerks who issue same-sex marriage licenses.
State Representative Cecil Bell Jr’s “Texas Preservation of Sovereignty and Marriage Act” would prevent any state funds being used for marriage licenses, which would include the salaries and benefits of state employees. This would in effect make it illegal to issue marriage licensees to same-sex couples, even if the same-sex marriage ban in Texas is eventually struck down.
The Fifth Circuit Court is looking at the issue of same-sex for states including Texas on Friday, and may rule in favour.
He has previously co-authored a bill that would have removed all state funding from any school district that provided benefits to same-sex partners of teachers and staff.
He said: “Texas is a sovereign state and our citizens have the right to define marriage. In Texas marriage is sacred and traditional families are recognized as the fabric of our society.”
