March 26, 2004
(Updated) Court Rejects Legislators' Motion To Intervene
Parties Support Submission Of Amicus Curiae Briefs
Note: This post has been updated. Any and all updates appear at the end of the original post.
Yesterday we reported on a move by a group of Republican state legislators to intervene in the ACLU of Oregon lawsuit against the state, governor, attorney general, and other state officials over the issue of same-sex marriage.
Earlier today (while we were off at a City Council candidates debate, about which we'll have more shortly), Judge Bearden heard arguments on that motion to intervene. News came our way via voicemail:
"We opposed [the motion]," said Andrea Meyer of the ACLU of Oregon. "The court agreed with us and did not allow them to intervene."
Meyer said that those involved in the case support an "open and accessible" process for other interested parties to file amicus curiae ("friend of the court") briefs for anyone who wants to participate.
"But we are no supporting intervention," Meyer explained, "in light of economy of resources and moving the case along."
There is, of course, some AP coverage of this:
Bearden said the controversy over Multnomah County's decisions to begin issuing marriage license to same-sex couples demanded a prompt decision.
"This court is merely a speed bump on the road to the (state) Supreme Court," he said.
(An interesting choice of words, since "speed bump" was also a phrase used by Judge Dale Koch during his earlier hearing weeks ago on a temporary restraining order against Multnomah County's issuance of same-sex marriage licenses.)
According to the AP, Representative Dennis Richardson, who filed the motion on behalf of the Republican group, called the decision "unfair and overly hasty."
The rejection of the motion to intervene keeps this "consolidated" legal case regarding Oregon and same-sex marriage on the intended track towards a hearing in the middle of April and an initial decision by the end of that month.
Update
Also yesterday, it seems, was the official dismissal of the existing lawsuits against Multnomah County in favor of this new, consolidated plan.
"I'm very pleased that all parties, on both sides of the same sex marriage issue, have agreed to move forward and allow the Oregon Supreme Court to decide the constitutional question of equal privilege in granting marriage licenses regardless of gender," said Commissioner Lisa Naito in a statement (pdf) on Friday. "The distracting issues that a few have chosen to focus on rather than the real question -- the constitutionality of same sex marriage -- have now officially been put aside."
Comments (5)
silver knight on 29 Mar 2004
what gives you the movment over all of your stores? what sparks your intrest when writing your paper? how much presure does your boss put on you when writing ???
Chance McClelland on 29 Mar 2004
Well I just got finished reading the article about you in the Oregonian called "b!X: Portland e-citizen doggedly chronicles local government. I found this article very interesting and heartfelt you are an exceptional journalist if you don't mind me saying that. I am a senior in high school and curently write for the school newspaper as a journalism student. I also am taking the time to read your same sex marraige article because in the last issue of our school newspaper I had to write an article about the same issue and I find it very interesting on how others talk about this issue. I find your work very in depth and heartfelt. Thank You for your hard work and determination. Good Luck in the future.
Lindsey on 29 Mar 2004
Greetings b!x!
"We" didn't read this article, but we did just read the article on you in The Oregonian. We are writers for Ilwaco High School's newspaper The Golden I. We are inspired by your dedication to this website. Thank you!
Lindsey on 29 Mar 2004
Greetings b!x!
"We" didn't read this article, but we did just read the article on you in The Oregonian. We are writers for Ilwaco High School's newspaper The Golden I. We are inspired by your dedication to this website. Thank you!
Lindsey on 29 Mar 2004
Greetings b!x!
"We" didn't read this article, but we did just read the article on you in The Oregonian. We are writers for Ilwaco High School's newspaper The Golden I. We are inspired by your dedication to this website. Thank you!