Politics & Government

Commissioners Respond to County Official's Decision to Issue Same-Sex Marriage License

Montgomery County Commissioners Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards 'hailed' the decision; Commissioner Bruce Castor said people enforcing laws 'must do so unless the law is changed.'

By Brittany Tressler

Montgomery County Commissioners Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards released a statement in support of Montgomery County Register of Wills Bruce Hanes to issue a marriage license to same-sex couples.

According to Shapiro, Hanes is “on the right side of history”; Richards said Hanes “showed true courage and vision.”

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On Tuesday, Hanes was prepared to issue a marriage license to a lesbian couple, citing the constitution, a recent court decision and statements made by Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane.  The couple decided not to go through with the process.

“Had the couple sought the license, I would have issued it and wished them all the freedom, independence, happiness and rights that our Commonwealth’s Constitution purports to grant to them,” Hanes said.

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Shapiro and Richards, who are supporters of same sex marriage, “hailed” the decision.

“Equality took a step forward in Montgomery County with the decision to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples,” Shapiro said.

Richards agreed, referencing the “excellent judgment” of Hanes.

“People who love each other should be able to marry, and I am thrilled that Montgomery County is at the forefront of this issue,” Richards said.

Commissioner Bruce Castor, the lone Republican on the board, said he was “disappointed” that the commissioners have become involved with the issue.

“People responsible for enforcing that law must do so unless the law is changed or a court declares the law invalid,” Castor said. “Individual elected officials ought not substitute their own views for that of the people expressed through their elected legislature and governor.

“And under ZERO circumstances do county commissioners have ANY authority in the marriage area. Doing your job well is the best politics. Injecting ones' self on how someone else does their job is not how I, myself, as commissioner operate,” Castor said.


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