Texas marriage license fees to $60 unless they take a class on how to be good spouses

[Catherine Vincent]

May 16, 2007, 12:19PM

Marriage fee gets surprise blessing
House OKs cost increase, but some lawmakers say bill slipped past them

By POLLY ROSS HUGHES
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

AUSTIN — In a switch some blamed on end-of-session blur, the House sent Gov. Rick Perry a bill Tuesday that doubles marriage license fees to $60 unless future brides and grooms take a class on how to be good spouses. Before the Senate approved the bill with the fee hike last week, the House had taken it out, calling it a marriage tax and government meddling in private lives.

Tuesday, the House reversed itself, returning a carrot-and-stick approach to the bill. You take the eight-hour class, your marriage license is free. You don't, you pay double. "It just got past me. It got past us all," said Rep. Robert Talton, R-Pasadena, who said he still opposes the fee hike and would change his vote if he could. "I admit that. We're all busy doing conference committees, doing amendments or whatever the case may be," he said. "I know a lot of people weren't paying attention."

Bill sponsor Rep. Warren Chisum, R-Pampa, was not available to comment on passage of this bill because he was tied up as chief budget writer for the House. Perry spokeswoman Katherine Cesinger said the governor "looks forward to reviewing the bill in its entirety" when it hits his desk. "The governor certainly supports the idea behind the bill to strengthen marriages," she added. Republicans were the only House members who switched their vote on the fee hike, offering a mixture of reasons.

Rep. Tony Goolsby, R-Dallas, said he "had a lapse of memory" and, like Talton, mistakenly voted to go along with the Senate's marriage fee hike. "I don't think it's necessary," he said, adding he still believes the fee hike is wrong. "You know how it is in the last days of the session. We go at rapid fire here passing bills. I just didn't catch it." Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, who earlier convinced a majority of the House the fee hike amounts to a "marriage tax," made a belated request that the House reconsider its 84-56 vote approving it. It was not granted. "I was just surprised," she said. "I'm not sure people were aware of what happened."

more.....http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/4807939.html

[yellowcanine]

1. Damn stupid idea. Taking some mandated course to save $60 isn't going to do squat.

Idiots.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

2. Are the marrieds then going to pony up $60 to take a class on good parenting? (n/t)

[ncteechur]

3. Maybe the course should be mandatory if you have ever been arrested

for a violent offense. No either or--just do it.

[Rosemary2205]

4. Will the end result be more "shackups"? nt

[Reverend_Smitty]

5. that's what I was thinking...

Other than the health insurance and survivor benefits what's the advantage of getting married anyway? Aren't you considered common law after 7 years anyway?

I'm kind of curious to see what the curriculum to this marriage class is, hopefully it isn't of the barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen wife variety

[Manifestor_of_Light]

13. A time period on common law marriage in Texas is a MYTH.

There is no automatic time period after which two single people living together are married.

Two people have to be: 1. a male and a female; 2. no prior impediments (not presently married to someone else); 3. live together and cohabit, which has a specific legal meaning; 4. hold themselves out as man and wife; 5. at least one party has to intend to be married.

You can go down to the courthouse and register a Declaration of Common Law Marriage.

[Rosemary2205]

14. Well, it's TEXAS

I suspect it WOULD be of the barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen variety. :)

Like Georgia.

[jdadd]

6. Hmmmmm....

Wonder who's Ideas they'll be a teachin? What is the definition of a good spouse in Texas? Husband; Don't be leavin no visible bruises on your wife....Wife; Keep your husbands beer cold....:sarcasm:

Just Wondering....:shrug:

[piedmont]

7. Anyone who makes more than $8 an hour would be better off just paying the fee.

I can think of a thousand better uses of my time than to have some bureaucrat tell me how my marriage ought to work.

[Syncronaut Seven]

8. Most churches offer premarital counseling

I think it's a grand idea! Unlikely it will hurt anything. May even help prevent the ocassional spousal homicide. Perhaps a chapter on balancing the checkbook and avoiding the loan sharks.

[nosillies]

9. This will probably be one of those cases where the myriad costs of implementing a new

"training" program will far surpass any increased revenue created by the more expensive licenses. Gotta love bureaucracy.

[Monk06]

10. Look for the $60 "fee" ending up in the pockets of Texas GOP faith based service providers. n/t

[EFerrari]

11. Cr2p! That would have save me 10 years of misery.

:rofl:

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. Can I send my husband to Texas ?

:evilgrin: