FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 29, 2004

Contact: Brad Snavely
(517) 374-1171, ext. 104

Governor Vetoes Marriage Legislation

LANSING, Mich. - Governor Jennifer Granholm this week vetoed legislation that would strengthen marriages and protect children of divorce. The package of bills passed by wide bi-partisan margins in the House and Senate. The programs have proven effective when initiated elsewhere and recent polls indicated broad support among the voting public.

"The Governor has chosen not to support marriage and help children of divorce. She could have sent a positive message about the important role marriage plays in society. Regrettably, the Governor appears to be out of synch with the voters on this issue," said Michigan Family Forum Executive Director Brad Snavely.

Eighty-seven percent (87%) of registered voters agree that divorce is a problem and 62% say we should seek solutions. The divorce education program vetoed by the Governor is already in place in Oakland and Kent counties. The experience in those counties and other states prompted lawmakers to expand the requirement statewide. A November poll by Mitchell Research Group (Lansing) found that 80% of registered voters support requiring divorcing couples with minor children to attend such a program. Programs help divorcing couples understand the impact of divorce on children, warning signs of behavioral maladjustment, sources of help for children after divorce and how to negotiate post-divorce child-rearing issues.

The Governor also vetoed legislation to encourage couples to participate in premarital education classes. The legislation offered couples a $50 tax credit if they paid to participated in such a program. The Mitchell poll found that 81% of voters believed that such a program would be effective in strengthening marriages. Scientific studies also demonstrate that these programs can positively impact marriages for six months to three years, often the time when young couples are making difficult adjustments to married life. The bill also eliminated the 3-day waiting period for a marriage license if a couple completed the program.

"It's difficult to imagine how anyone can be opposed to these reasonable measures while claiming to be concerned about the preservation of marriage, said Snavely. "We recognize that marriage is a private decision and personal choice. But it is also a decision that will have profound public consequences - especially for the wellbeing of children. Government should always be on the side of affirming what is best for society, and that includes encouraging healthy marriages."

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