Pennsylvania - My State Rep is among those suing the gay couple

[rabid_nerd]

From PA thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=175x663

Pa. legislators sue Bucks gay couple

Associated Press


DOYLESTOWN - Legislators who sponsored the state's Defense of Marriage Act have filed a lawsuit against two gay men who sought a marriage license in Bucks County.

When Robert Seneca and Stephen Stahl tried to apply for a marriage license in March at the Bucks County Courthouse, Register of Wills Barbara G. Reilly said she couldn't legally accept an application for a same-sex union. Seneca and Stahl later said they would consider filing a lawsuit appealing her decision.

Leonard G. Brown III, an attorney for 11 Republicans and one Democrat who were sponsors of the state's 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, said they filed their suit in an attempt to have the law affirmed before Seneca and Stahl seek to have it declared unconstitutional.

Seneca and Stahl haven't yet filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn the act, which says it is the state's policy "that marriage shall be between one man and one woman."

Even if the marriage occurred in another state or foreign jurisdiction in which it was valid, the law says it "shall be void in this commonwealth."

........

HELP!

He only has $5000 in the bank - and noone knows we successfully got our candidate on the November ballot!

"Sponsors of the Defense of Marriage Act listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit were Reps. Allan Egolf, (R., Perry); Gibson C. Armstrong, (R., Lancaster); Matthew E. Baker, (R., Tioga); Thomas C. Creighton, (R., Lancaster); Gordon Denlinger, (R., Lancaster); Stephen R. Maitland, (R., Adams); Daryl Metcalfe, (R., Butler); Merle H. Phillips, (R., Northumberland); Samuel R. Rohrer, (R., Berks); Jerry A. Stern, (R., Blair); Katie True, (R., Lancaster); and Thomas F. Yewcic, (D., Cambria)."

Help Instantly online: http://www.herbriede.com/contribute
(I'm not running for anything this year but retain an active PAC)

or email [e-mail] (our guy's campaign manager)

[Dogmudgeon]

1. Can't we counter-sue or something?

For one thing, is this even actionable? I know that anyone can sue anyone else for anything over $20, but suing people in anticipation of bringing legal action seems to be ... intimidation, especially when elected officials do it.

Right?

--bkl

[rabid_nerd]

2. Well, it certaintly is a waste of money

to pre-emptively strike like this.

If we could somehow find out they're using taxpayer's money for this crap, which technically they are since they're paid by us to begin with. but I don't know.

[Dogmudgeon]

3. FOIA?

I'm sure the good offices of Gov. Ed Rendell would be more than happy to help you find out if you can apply the Freedom of Information Act. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania probably has a state version.

--bkl