THURSDAY TOP NEWS LINKS:
Early Wednesday’s news of the Supreme Court’s action on the the Defense of Marriage Act, was greeted with celebration at the Mayor’s office, and in other quadrants of our city. Still others vowed to keep up a fight that the courts have now said is dependent on the opinions of each state.
David Pitman, KUHF Public Radio
Today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down a key part of the Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, won’t change things much in Texas. The part of DOMA that declared states do not have to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states remains intact.
Charles “Rocky” Rhodes is a constitutional law professor at South Texas College of Law. He says the ruling leaves an important question unanswered.
“Does the federal government have to recognize a marriage that was
lawfully entered into in New York, and then the spouses move to Texas? Texas doesn’t recognize that marriage. But now, does the federal government have to? So we’re going to have some difficult issues that are going to be arising from this decision.”
Rhodes predicts the federal government will, ultimately, recognize same-sex couples who get married in one state, then move to another that doesn’t allow such unions. He points out that today’s decision was narrowly focused on the part of DOMA that pertained to whether same-sex spouses should be granted benefits at the federal level.
“So that other provision of DOMA provides further support to Texas for not recognizing a same-sex marriage that was lawfully entered into in Massachusetts or New York. That provision was not at issue. And so, therefore, that provision survives. And that was not held to be unconstitutional.” […]
(Read and hear more of this story at KUHF Public Radio)
MORE COVERAGE:
- Houston same-sex couples sort through impact of Supreme Court ruling (KHOU 11 News)
- Houston’s LGBT Community Reacts To DOMA Ruling (KUHF Public Radio)
- The religious divide over Gay Marriage (KRIV 26 News)
- DOMA Struck Down: What’s Next for Same-Sex Couples in Texas? (KUT Austin News)
- Both Sides on Same-Sex Marriage Focus on Next Battlegrounds (New York Times)Conservatives promise legislative fight over marriage (Washington Post)
LOCAL AREA HEADLINES:
- North Forest days numbered after another court loss (Chron.com)
- Houston firefighters say ‘problem’ equipment could lead to tragedy (KHOU 11 News)
- Blue Cross Blue Shield contract with Memorial Hermann expires Sunday (KTRK 13 News)
- Health department issues warning for seafood in local waters (KTRK 13 News)
- Transforming Houston’s Concrete Bayous Into 160-Mile Greenspace (KUHF Public Radio)
- Intern credited with saving Gabby Giffords’ life teaching others (KIAH 39 Newsfix)
- Protestors push for officer indictment in death of double amputee (KIAH 39 Newsfix)
- Personal Stories Highlight The Toll Of Drunk Driving In Texas (KUHF Public Radio)
STATE HEADLINES:
- Gov. Perry calls second special session to address abortion restrictions (KTRK 13 News)
- Federal agency finds lax regulation of chemicals (Austin Statesman)
- After 500th Execution, a Huntsville Death Row History (KUT Austin News)
- So What Exactly Happened with Fisher v. University of Texas? (KUT Austin News)
NATION & WORLD:
- Charging Spike In ‘Bogus’ Oil Spill Settlement Claims, BP Takes the Offensive (KUHF Public Radio)
- Junk food getting canned in schools (USA Today)
- Bill to Expand U.S. Database to Verify Hires (New York Times)
- Children are the makers and the markers of sustainable societies (Reuters)