Why is Pennsylvania so anti-gay marriage? (Washington, Republic: to buy, minimum wage, prices)

[JRittle123]

Pennsylvania is a very anti-change state. You still can't buy alcohol in grocery stores for crying out loud.

[jazzy jeff]

Originally Posted by mancat100

I can name two things off the top of my head based on recent personal experience.

1. Lower auto insurance rates by putting your spouse on your insurance

2. Less complicated/less expensive real estate transactions.

I was recently informed that the Social Security Death benefit is directly tied into the state and only congress can change that. So no SS death benefit.

[North Beach Person]

Originally Posted by jazzy jeff

I was recently informed that the Social Security Death benefit is directly tied into the state and only congress can change that. So no SS death benefit.

You were told wrong.

[Pine to Vine]

Originally Posted by jazzy jeff

Lets say for a moment that it is determined that Federal marriage recognition be based on state of celebration? That would mean that a Pa same sex couple that travels to say NY for example, gets married and is recognized by the Feds.

[b]Not being recognized by the state of Pa, what exactly would these couples lose out on? Obviously they could not file a joint state tax return, there would be no benefits for the spouses of state employees and private employers would not be required to extend benefits to the spouses of their employees. But what else does state recognition of marriage bring?

A few points:
1) The government (federal or state) does require private employers to offer benefits of any kind to their staff, beyond meeting basic employee protection laws (minimal wage, overtime rules, etc.). For example, no company is required by the government to offer health insurance, vacation, life insurance, pensions, 401(k)s, education benefits, etc., let alone extend health and survivor benefits to spouses, dependents or domestic partners. Companies decide for themselves which benefits they wish to offer and how they choose to structure them.
2) The State of PA already extends health benefits to same sex partners of their employees. PGN-The Philadelphia Gay News. Phila gay news. philly news - Breaking News Pa grants domestic partner benefits
3) A key penalty that falls on unmarried partners in PA is the inheritance tax. If a legally married spouse dies, the surviving spouse pays no taxes on their inheritance. Given gay couples are not allowed to marry in PA, if one partner dies, the surviving partner mast pay the state 15% of their inheritance. Inheritance Tax

[jazzy jeff]

Originally Posted by jm02

A few points:
1) The government (federal or state) does require private employers to offer benefits of any kind to their staff, beyond meeting basic employee protection laws (minimal wage, overtime rules, etc.). For example, no company is required by the government to offer health insurance, vacation, life insurance, pensions, 401(k)s, education benefits, etc., let alone extend health and survivor benefits to spouses, dependents or domestic partners. Companies decide for themselves which benefits they wish to offer and how they choose to structure them.
2) The State of PA already extends health benefits to same sex partners of their employees. PGN-The Philadelphia Gay News. Phila gay news. philly news - Breaking News Pa grants domestic partner benefits
3) A key penalty that falls on unmarried partners in PA is the inheritance tax. If a legally married spouse dies, the surviving spouse pays no taxes on their inheritance. Given gay couples are not allowed to marry in PA, if one partner dies, the surviving partner mast pay the state 15% of their inheritance. Inheritance Tax

On item 1) I realized all that. However if marriage was recognized by the state, wouldn't an employer that does offer spousal benefits to hetero-sexual couples also be required to offer them to same sex couples without facing a discrimination suit?

[Pine to Vine]

Originally Posted by jazzy jeff

On item 1) I realized all that. However if marriage was recognized by the state, wouldn't an employer that does offer spousal benefits to hetero-sexual couples also be required to offer them to same sex couples without facing a discrimination suit?

Anyone can sue for anything, therefore any entity is subject to a discrimination suit. That does not mean they would win one, however. Let's use Exxon-Mobil as an example. Currently, that company has a set of benefits that it extends to the married spouses of their employees. As I understand it, they do not extend those same benefits to their gay employees who may be married legally in the states where they live, choosing to use instead the federal definition of spouse. Despite the fact that same gender marriages have been legal in some states for years, their discriminatory policies have stood the test of time.

Now things become interesting. How the DOMA ruling will affect that company's policies is yet to be determined. Exxon-Mobil is within its rights, however, to re-define the definition of spouse to be only one man and one woman, if they so choose. If they go that route, only if someone within the company chooses to file suit and a court renders a decision, will we know how something like this might turn out.

[Craziaskowboi]

Originally Posted by JRittle123

Pennsylvania is a very anti-change state. You still can't buy alcohol in grocery stores for crying out loud.

The majority of Pennsylvanians are in favor of both legalizing gay marriage and privatizing alcohol sales, so there has to be other variables involved, like self-serving politicians and busybody special-interest groups.

[wehotex]

Originally Posted by jm02

A few points:
1) The government (federal or state) does require private employers to offer benefits of any kind to their staff, beyond meeting basic employee protection laws (minimal wage, overtime rules, etc.). For example, no company is required by the government to offer health insurance, vacation, life insurance, pensions, 401(k)s, education benefits, etc., let alone extend health and survivor benefits to spouses, dependents or domestic partners. Companies decide for themselves which benefits they wish to offer and how they choose to structure them.
2) The State of PA already extends health benefits to same sex partners of their employees. PGN-The Philadelphia Gay News. Phila gay news. philly news - Breaking News Pa grants domestic partner benefits
3) A key penalty that falls on unmarried partners in PA is the inheritance tax. If a legally married spouse dies, the surviving spouse pays no taxes on their inheritance. Given gay couples are not allowed to marry in PA, if one partner dies, the surviving partner mast pay the state 15% of their inheritance. Inheritance Tax

Gay Man Adopts His Partner to Avoid Inheritance Tax - ABC News

This is a sad commentary of an elderly gay man who had to adopt his partner just to reduce the inheritance taxes owed when death comes. A straight couple would not pay ANY taxes upon that event.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by JRittle123

Pennsylvania is a very anti-change state. You still can't buy alcohol in grocery stores for crying out loud.

The irony is the most of the opposition for privitization comes from Democrats because of the union.

[pman]

Originally Posted by Gnutella

The majority of Pennsylvanians are in favor of both legalizing gay marriage and privatizing alcohol sales, so there has to be other variables involved, like self-serving politicians and busybody special-interest groups.

exactly, privatizing alcohol isn't even controversial outside of harrisburg