T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter

The celebrated harmony at the Capitol began to strain Tuesday (March 8) as Sen. Michele Bachmann, R-Stillwater, prepared to reintroduce a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

ìThis is not an anti-gay bill,î said Bachmann of the proposed amendment, which, if approved by voters, would constitutionally define marriage as between a man and a woman.

ìItís important to do it (pass the legislation) now simply because we can,î said Bachmann.

If passed by the Legislature, the proposed amendment could go before voters in 2006.

Beyond banning same-sex marriage, Bachmann believes it would also ban civil unions.

Last session the same-sex marriage ban debate drew thousands of supporters and opponents to the Capitol in some of biggest rallies of the session.

Committee hearing rooms were packed.

For days, amendment supporters lined the marbled steps leading to the Senate Chambers, their signs brightening the stairwell.
Tom Prichard, Minnesota Family Council President, said a coalition of groups will be running radio ads supportive of the proposed amendment and plan a rally for the middle of April.

ìI think it will only continue to build,î Prichard said of public support.

The legislation last session passed the House, but stalled in the Senate.

Rep. Mary Liz Holberg, R-Lakeville, who carried the legislation in the House last session will not this session.

In a written statement, Holberg explained her turning the bill over the result of a busy schedule.

Rep. Dan Severson, R-Sauk Rapids, is the new House author.

At a Capitol press conference, Bachmann explained the need for proposed amendment as a safeguard against perceived activist judges defining marriage from the bench.

Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson, DFL-Willmar, sees things differently.

ìAt times we have the sense this is the politics of distraction,î said Johnson, arguing Gov. Pawlenty and conservatives are using social issues to deflect attention from education, healthcare and other issues by focusing it on ìthe politics of discrimination.î

If Republicans plan to use constitutional amendments to advance their political agenda, Senate DFLers, too, would use the process to elevate their concerns, Johnson explained.

ìItís highly unlikely the constitutional amendment banning gay marriage would be a stand alone question in 2006 or 2008,î said Johnson.

One amendment Senate DFLers might pursue could question the stateís role in gaming.

Johnson indicated he believes that Republicans tactically use constitutional amendments to bring voters to the polls.

The use of constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage nationwide last election put President Bush back in the White House, Johnson argued.

ìIs that what the people of Minnesota want ó the constitution being used like a hammer,î he asked.

Johnson said he didnít know whether Bachmannís proposed amendment would pass the Senate.

Indeed, he didnít know whether heíd personally vote for such legislation, he explained.

Johnson said he had asked Senate Minority Leader Dick Day, R-Owatonna, to consider addressing proposed constitutional amendments next session.

But Day said that if lawmakers want to try to pass amendments now, they should go ahead.

ìI say letís do it. I think it (Bachmannís proposed amendment) will pass,î said Day.

Sen. Don Betzold, DFL-Fridley, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman, said Bachmannís bill would ultimately get a hearing in his committee, but argued there was no hurry.

ìIt doesnít matter whether I hear the bill this year or next year ó it will be heard,î he said.

ìYou (the public) canít vote on it any quicker,î said Betzold.

Betzold characterized Bachmannís interest in the proposed constitutional amendment as part of her campaign to run for Congress.
Bachmann is seeking the Republican endorsement for Congress in the 6th District.

ìSheís running for Congress and she knows thereís going to be a lot of publicity on this issue,î said Betzold.
ìShe loves to grandstand ó everybody knows that,î he said.

Bachmann accused Senate DFLers of silencing her on the Senate floor last session when trying to bring up her proposed amendment.
Bachmannís legislation failed in the Judiciary Committee last session; a bill authored by Betzold which prohibited the courts from defining marriage passed the committee.

Betzold said itís ìpossibleî he would again offer the legislation.
Bachmann does not support it.

The House has scheduled a hearing on Seversonís legislation for March 18 in Grand Rapids.

Pawlenty strongly backs the proposed amendment, according to Pawlenty spokesperson Brian McClung.

ìMarriage is not distraction ó itís a fundamental issue,î said McClung, speaking for the governor.
But Sen. John Hottinger, DFL-St. Peter, saw the legislation as a wedge issue.

ìPure and simple, this is discrimination for political purposes; itís clear that this issue is really more about her (Bachmannís) politics as one of several candidates in a competitive congressional race,î said Hottinger.

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