Hetherington Supports Compromise to Protect Religious Liberty

State Representative John W. Hetherington (R -125) voted to enact Senate Bill 899 after two amendments were adopted to protect the rights of churches and religious groups to choose who uses their facilities and to maintain their adoption services. Reportedly, the language in the amendments reflects the concerns of the Roman Catholic Church and other faith organizations.“Even if SB 899 had not passed, same-sex couples would still have the right to marry in the State of Connecticut because of the 2008 Supreme Case ruling in the Kerrigan Case. I believe that the amendments made the best of a bad situation imposed upon us by activist judges on our Supreme Court in the Kerrigan case. If SB 899 had not passed, these amendments would have been lost because they became part of the final bill.

“The core problem,” Hetherington said, “is the usurpation by the court of the legislature’s law – making function.”

SB 899 passed the House and Senate April 22. The Governor is reported to have said that she will sign this measure.