Letter to the Editor: Iowa marriage law in limbo

Editors Note: The views and opinions expressed in this editorial are not necessarily the views or opinions of Osky News

Some have said that voting out three high court justices has no effect
on Iowa marriage law. They are correct. Here’s why.

There was no marriage law before the vote and there is still no
marriage law after the vote.

1) Iowa’s highest court ruled that our 1998 marriage law (595.2) is
unconstitutional.

2) So the 1998 marriage law is void (Iowa Constitution Article XII).

3) Only the legislature has law making authority (Iowa Constitution
Article III).

4) The legislature has not enacted a new marriage law.

Summary: The old marriage law is void and no new marriage law has been
passed.

Conclusion: There is no marriage law in Iowa.

Iowa’s highest court tried to declare a new substituted marriage
law. But that is void because the court has no constitutional
authority to make new law.

The people of Iowa need a marriage law that is clear and certain. But
now it’s a big mess.

As long as Senator Mike Gronstal blocks discussion of marriage, Iowa
will continue to be in marriage limbo.

It is time for the legislature and the governor to recognize and admit
that we have no marriage law in Iowa. It is time for them to do
something about it.

There needs to be a discussion and there needs to be a vote.

John Hesling