I N D I A N A D A I LY S T U D E N T | T U E S D AY, F E B R U A R Y 1 8 , 2 0 1 4 | I D S N E W S . C O M
IDS
The Howards are farming livestock differently, and they want to teach people why, page 9 HJR-3
DEBATE OVER
Pick up INSIDE magazine’s Bad issue, on stands now
BY MICHAEL AUSLEN | mauslen@indiana.edu
Senate passes watered-down constitutional gay marriage ban amidst calls to defeat HJR 3 from opponents, requests for stronger language from supporters
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NDIANAPOLIS — When this all started, the halls of the Statehouse were full of citizens shouting, singing and chanting, trying to make their voices heard. Thirty-five days later, some of the activists had stopped coming. There were fewer calls for “liberty for all Hoosiers” or to “let citizens vote.” The Senate vote passed with a smaller audience, a few dozen onlookers, compared to the more than 100 who had been there in the past. That vote, a 32-17 affirmation of House Joint Resolution 3, ended the same-sex marriage debate in the Indiana General Assembly for this session, but there could be more to come. The version of the constitutional amendment passed by the Senate on Monday and the House of Representatives Jan. 28 must be passed by the legislature in 2015 or 2016 before Hoosier voters will see it on the ballot. Supporters of HJR 3 have been motivated by court cases throughout the country that have overturned laws banning samesex marriage. That’s why they want it in the constitution — it’ll be harder to overturn. “It began when unelected judges started interpreting the people’s statutes and changing what they said,” Sen. Michael Young, R-Indianapolis, said before voting for HJR 3. “I’d rather have 6 million people decide this than one judge.” Opponents have used economic arguments and emotional stories to drive their point home. But in their final pleas to vote no, Democrats argued the issue is about more than job benefits or a positive business environment. “This is the United States of America,” Sen. Jim Arnold, D-LaPorte, said. “We open our arms to everybody, whether we agree with their opinions or not.” Monday’s session brought out another unexpected no vote for HJR 3. Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel, one of the General Assembly’s staunchest opponents to samesex marriage. Delph announced in a press conference that he would not support the watered-down language presented to the Senate.
MICHAEL AUSLEN | IDS
Activists from Freedom Indiana gather on the fourth floor of the Statehouse in Indianapolis after the Senate approved House Joint Resolution 3, the constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
The original version of HJR 3 included a second provision, which would have banned civil unions and any other legal status similar to marriage for those who are not married. The House of Representatives eliminated that sentence, which had caused controversy and was one of the chief arguments used by opponents, including IU and other major employers. This change is why Hoosier voters won’t see the amendment on the ballot this November. The 2011 legislature had approved the old language, but this version is too different. “The can keeps getting kicked down the road while the culture changes and opponents grow,” Delph said. “The State of Indiana needs to bring this issue to closure once and for all.” THE 10-YEAR BATTLE
More on HJR 3 online Reporter Michael Auslen explains key features of HJR 3 on idsnews.com. THE HISTORY OF HJR 3 Turn to page 11 for a timeline of HJR 3’s passage through the legal landscape. years of failed attempts, dozens of votes and hundreds of expert witnesses. Before this fight began, marriage was something for one man and one woman, by definition of Indiana law. That law is still on the books today, Indiana Code 31-11-1: “Only a female may marry a male. Only a male may marry a female.” But a court decision hundreds of miles away called everything into question. On Nov. 18, 2003, the Massachusetts Supreme Court struck down a state law defining
This fight didn’t start this year, or even last session. It stretches back through 10
SEE HJR 3, PAGE 8
Couple might have planned murder-suicide FROM IDS REPORTS
Friday morning’s murder-suicide between a married couple in the Meadowood Retirement Community might have been pre-meditated. Robert and Ruth Smith were found shot to death in one of the retirement center’s hospital rooms, according to police. Ruth was found on a bed with four gunshot wounds to the torso. Robert was found on the floor
next to the bed with a single head shot. “We know they had conversations about what they would do if they couldn’t take care of themselves,” Bloomington Police Department Sgt. Steve Kellams said. A .38 caliber revolver was also found in the room. There was another resident in the room at the time of shooting, Kellams said, but because of medical conditions the person
was unable to provide the police with any information. Ruth had been put in the retirement center for prior medical conditions as a result of Robert’s hospitalization. Recently released from the hospital, Robert had lunch with Ruth in the activities room before the shooting occurred. An exact timeline of events is not known to police, but there was no indication of arguments taking place before gunshots
were fired. “We believe he was not going to be able to physically take care of her anymore,” Kellams said. The investigation is coming to a close as police wait for final autopsy reports to come in. Kellams said he does not anticipate any new evidence to surface. — Dennis Barbosa
Hoosiers prepare to play No. 15 Iowa BY JOHN BAUERNFEIND jogbauer@indiana.edu
The IU men’s basketball team (14-11, 4-8), looking to snap its three-game losing streak, will face the No. 15 Iowa Hawkeyes (19-6, 8-4) at 9 tonight in Assembly Hall. Iowa enters the contest on a two-game winning streak, defeating Penn State 82-70 on the road Saturday. In that game, the Hawkeyes pulled down 40 rebounds, 13 of which were offensive. Iowa ranks first in the Big Ten in offensive rebounding this season, averaging 43 rebounds per game. The Hawkeyes also rank second in the Big Ten in rebounding margin, coming just 0.4 behind the Hoosiers. In addition to their rebounding prowess, the Hawkeyes lead the Big Ten with 83.6 points per game. For the most part, Iowa spreads its scoring around. Only two Iowa players average double figures in points. During the Big Ten SEE BASKETBALL, PAGE 8 THEY’RE NOT LAST YEAR’S HAWKEYES Last season’s similarities mean little, and columnist Evan Hoopfer laments IU’s unpredictability.