Sen. Connie Williams’ statement on proposed marriage protection amendment

 “I will not support any attempts to amend the constitution that would undermine the strength of the document. All that this current debate on the marriage amendment serves to do is to create another wedge issue that will be used by the extreme right wing, who want to get a question on the ballot in the hopes of bringing out a targeted voter population in 2008.

 The constitution was drafted to protect the rights of all Pennsylvanians. In light of today’s high divorce rates and the proliferation of adultery it is hypocritical to use the sanctity of marriage as bait to reel in voters.

 What we should be talking about in Harrisburg are important family issues, such as funding education, cutting property taxes, ensuring that safety net programs remain viable, increasing the minimum wage, and growing the economy so family-sustaining jobs are available.

House Bill 2381 has nothing to do with family values."