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FUMO URGES REJECTION OF
SMOKING-BAN LEGISLATION
Press Release:
HARRISBURG, MAY 12, 2008
– Possible compromise state legislation creating an indoor smoking ban would
override a much stronger Philadelphia anti-smoking ordinance of which Mayor
Michael Nutter is the chief proponent, and should be defeated for that reason,
state Senator Vince Fumo (D-Philadelphia) said today.
Fumo urged the six members of the conference committee
on smoking legislation not to sign the bill if the final version is the same as
a confidential draft that is currently being circulated.
“Philadelphia’s city ordinance is more comprehensive,
thorough, and better thought out,” Fumo said. “There is no compelling reason to
pre-empt the city ordinance. The areas affected are only within the city, and
the rules have been in place for more than a year without incident.”
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FUMO AMENDMENT PROTECTS
MARRIAGE FROM DIVORCE
Press Release:
HARRISBURG, May 6, 2008
– With proponents of a proposed constitutional amendment on
marriage claiming that they are not attempting to discriminate against gays but
merely to protect the sanctity of the marital institution, state Sen. Vince Fumo
(D-Philadelphia) intends to offer an amendment that would outlaw the dissolution
of most marriages in Pennsylvania.
Fumo will propose his measure when the Senate considers
SB 1250, which would amend the state constitution to say that only the union of
one man and one woman would be recognized as a marriage or the functional
equivalent of marriage. That debate could occur today.
“Listening to the supporters and advocates for SB 1250,
they tell me that their goal is not to hurt any group of people, but to protect
the valuable yet beleaguered institution of marriage. In my view, there is no
greater threat to families and to marriage than the high divorce rate in our
society. So if we truly want our Constitution to guard the institution of
marriage, we should focus on keeping those marital unions together,” Fumo said.
His amendment would prohibit divorce except when
specific causes are present.
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FUMO SPEAKS OUT AGAINST GAY
MARRIAGE AMENDMENT
Press Release:
HARRISBURG, MAY 5, 2008 --
State Senator Vince Fumo (D-Philadelphia) spoke today at a rally
in the rotunda of the state Capitol, in opposition to Senate Bill 1250, the
so-called marriage protection amendment. Several hundred people attended the
event.
The bill was approved by the Senate Appropriations
Committee on an 18-8 vote moments before Fumo spoke at the rally. He was one of
the eight who voted not to release the bill from committee. The legislation is
scheduled to be considered by the full Senate later this week.
The bill would amend the state Constitution to exclude
same sex couples from enjoying the rights of marriage, or unions that are the
functional equivalent of marriage. Fumo argued that it would embed
discrimination within the state Constitution.
Following is the text of his remarks:
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Click here to listen to the first half of Sen.
Fumo's remarks at the May 5 rally.
Click here to listen to the second half.
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BILL PROPOSED TO PICK NEW
PHILADELPHIA CASINO SITES
Press Release:
HARRISBURG, April 30, 2008 – Three state legislators from Philadelphia will
introduce a proposal to establish a collaborative, inclusive process aimed at
finding new locations for the city’s slots gambling casinos. State Senator Vince
Fumo and state Representatives Mike O’Brien and Bill Keller (all Democrats) want
to involve state and city officials, Foxwoods and Sugarhouse casinos, community
representatives, and the state Gaming Board in an effort to identify alternative
casino locations on a strict time line.
In addition, the legislation would also allow casinos
to be situated in the area around the Philadelphia International Airport – by
removing the current prohibition on other casinos being sited within a 10-mile
radius of the Harness Racing Track slots facility in Chester.
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