Iowa Residents Petition to Impeach Judge Who Overturned Gay Marriage Ban

Iowa Residents Petition to Impeach Judge Who Overturned Gay Marriage Ban

Associated PressFriday Jan 25, 2008
DES MOINES - Petitions calling for the impeachment ofa judge who overturned Iowa’s ban on gay marriages have beendelivered to Legislature.The petitions, with over 6,000 signatures, were handed overtoday by social conservative Bill Salier. He says thegoal is to "stop a runaway judiciary.’’Salier says Polk County Judge Robert Hanson overstepped hisauthority by legalizing gay marriage last summer. Hanson stayed hisruling while it’s under appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court.Impeaching a judge takes an act of the Legislature.Critics of Hanson’s ruling are pushing lawmakers for aconstitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Democrats whocontrol both the House and Senate have taken the issue off thetable and are dismissing Salier’s effort.House Speaker Pat Murphy says they’re "not doing anything onit.’’Copyright Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.