My Divorce From Warren Is Amicable

Our friends rallied around me late last night and made it possible for me to have an amicable divorce from my husband, State Representative Warren Chisum (R-Unfulfilled). His marriage eduation bill was emasculated by none other than my BFF, Senfronia Thompson. With a 71-61 vote (14 Republicans joined Democrats), Thompson won the vote to keep the marriage license fee at $30, no matter if couples took the marriage class, or not. This effectively killed Warren's bill. Why take the class if you can get your license at the same price without sitting through a long class (and paying for that class)? A combination of the fee increase looking like a tax, and legislators discomfort with government intruding into private lives, ended up dooming Warren's attempt to control the universe. Some choice quotes: Rep. Robert Talton, R-Pasadena, said his constituents would see the marriage license fee hike as a tax increase. If he agreed to it, it could backfire in his next political race.

"I could see it in a (campaign) mailer," he said. "They wouldn't care that we were trying to keep marriages together. They wouldn't care." (this from the guy who led the charge against gay marriage) He said he's not convinced of the success rate for marriage based on premarital counseling, noting Chisum offered few convincing statistics for backup. (Warren tries to keep it a secret that he failed every science class he ever.) --- "I do not believe it is good policy for the state to intervene in the sanctity of a marriage," said Rep. Tommy Merritt, R-Longview. "For us to say an eight-hour course is going to make a marriage sustain itself is not the prudent way to encourage a Christian marriage." (so, only Christians were going to have to take Warren's class?) --- Like the others, Rep. Gary Elkins, R-Houston, said he had a gnawing concern about government's proper role in society.

"Marriage is sanctioned by the state, but it's really a Biblical or historically religious ceremony. I don't know how government's going to counsel people or give people advice," he said. (Good on you. And I can tell you when that a marriage ends, the state sees it as one thing- a legal contract.) --- Rep. John Davis, R-Houston, backed Chisum's "healthy marriage" bill with the hike in fees, but he's not sure what the Thursday vote means for other conservative bills to preserve marriage.

"I'm not sure if it's a shift of the House or not," he said.

I'll tell you this. It made me happy this morning to wake up this morning and see that the lege also woke up. And, came to their senses.