A proposal by a Topeka lawmaker to waive marriage license fees strikes us as a waste of time during a legislative session in which the state’s budget should be the top priority.
Rep. Joe Patton, R-Topeka, has introduced a bill that would waive the $69 marriage license fee if a couple files a poverty affidavit. Patton says the new law is needed to encourage marriages in the state. He justifies his position by citing studies that show marriage has positive outcomes, including improved well-being of both children and adults and greater earnings for family members.
We are not opposed to marriage, but we believe a new law is unnecessary.
First, we find it difficult to believe that couples who want to marry cannot find the $69 to pay for the license. If they are not living together already, there will be more than enough cost savings in consolidating rent or mortgage payments as well as utilities and other household expenses to find an extra $70.
Second, the marriage license fee — like other fees paid through the state’s district courts — helps pay for the court system. At a time when state budget cuts are forcing the judicial branch to consider mandatory staff furloughs — ordering workers to stay home without pay — it makes no sense to take away a source of revenue.
Finally, Rep. Patton and all the other lawmakers in the Statehouse need to focus their efforts on balancing the budget — both the current one and next year’s. Already the governor and lawmakers have been forced to rob Peter to pay Paul by delaying payments to schools and using that money to pay other bills.
Today is the 32nd day of the 2010 legislative session. Already more than one-third of the 90-day session is gone.
It’s time to focus on the budget and wait until the next session for pet projects.
Gwendolynne Larson
Executive editor
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