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PA Family Update

by Newsletter

FAMILY UPDATE
Volume 4, Issue 15
June 19, 2008

The Pennsylvania Family Institute's weekly update to concerned citizens.
Michael Geer, President
Attention: PA Family Institute has printable versions of the Family Update that can be downloaded and printed easily! Follow this link to get a 1-page version that you can hand out to your friends and family: http://www.pafamily.org/index.php?pID=78
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Quote of the Week
"Reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in the exclusion of religious principle."
~ George Washington
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Pennsylvania News
A PFI Intern Supports Separation of Church and State? Read David Feister's newest post on the PA Family Blog regarding the separation of church and state and add your comments. We want YOU to join the discussion. Visit pafamily.wordpress.com.
State Budget Battle Begins in Harrisburg. The State Senate passed a trimmed budget that would increase spending only 2.8 percent as opposed to the 4.2 percent increase proposed by Gov. Rendell. The vote was along party lines, and now the budget goes to the Democrat-controlled House. Most of the debate is regarding education funding and implementation.
Unmarried Partners Given Marriage Rights in Pittsburgh. The city council decided amidst cheering and a 7-1 vote to let gay and straight unmarried couples "register" their relationship. This registration lets them receive the same employee benefits as married couples. Employers are encouraged to recognize these partners, and council members feel the registry will attract "good-quality" employers to the "progressive" city.
Rendell Signs PA Smoking Ban. Public spaces, including office buildings, bus and train stations, sports arenas, and restaurants, will be smoke-free by September 11, 2008. Non-compliant smokers and business owners can be fined up to $1,000 for violating the new regulation. Bars and casinos are just two of the places that are exempt from the ban. PA is the 33rd state to adopt a smoking ban.
News posted daily at www.PAFamily.org!
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Family News
Louisiana Taxpayers Protected from Funding for Human Cloning, Ohio Residents Lose Battle. Although scientists may still conduct cloning research, Gov. Bobby Jindal promises to sign this bill so that taxpayer dollars are not used to support unethical "therapeutic" human cloning research. Tragically, Ohio residents who value life lost this same battle. Gov. Ted Strickland used his line-item veto to strike an amendment that prohibited state funding for human cloning research. This decision ignores the fact that embryonic stem cell research has not yet cured any disease, while adult stem cells are already used to treat over 73 diseases!
Policy May Force Pharmacists to Distribute Abortion-Causing Drugs; Some Stand Up for Life by Opening Pro-Life Drugstores. The American Medical Association (AMA) is currently considering a policy that would require pharmacists to distribute abortion-causing drugs, even if it violates their convictions. Traditionally, doctors adhere to freedom of conscience in their practice, but such a policy would strip that right from pharmacists. Meanwhile, a growing number of "pro-life" pharmacies are opening across the nation. These pharmacies choose not to stock various types of contraception or abortion-causing drugs. Supporters are glad to see medical professionals practicing what they believe, and hope that a national organization like the AMA will refuse let rights and convictions fall from medical policy practice.
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Marriage News
Same-Sex Couples Say "I Do" In California. While California voters wait to cast their votes in November to decide whether the State Constitution will define marriage as between one man and one woman, homosexual couples are starting to take advantage of the recent State Supreme Court ruling that allows two men or two women to get married. Rather than addressing the societal impact of same-sex marriage, the media is appealing to emotions to portray these marriages as no different from any other marriage. Not only does this send the message that marriage is something that four Justices can redefine at will, but it has implications to other States as well. A same-sex couple from anywhere in the country can travel to California , get married, and then return to their home state and demand that their marriage be recognized. Only a PA Marriage Protection Amendment would be able to prevent an activist judge from ruling that Pennsylvania must recognize same-sex "marriages."
News posted daily at www.PA4Marriage.org!
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PFI News
There is only one more week left to register for the 2008 City on the Hill Youth Leadership Conference! The conference is July 20-26, 2008, at Lancaster Bible College. City on the Hill is for high-school students, ages 15-18. Applications must be postmarked by June 24! Download an application!
July 18-19 – Truth Project training with Dr. Del Tackett of Focus on the Family at Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills (Philly area). You can register through Focus at www.truthproject.org.
September 15 – 2nd Annual PFI Golf Tournament at Bent Creek Country Club to benefit City on the Hill. Sponsored by WDAC. Be a sponsor or sign up to play by visiting www.pafamily.org/golf.php!
October 11 – Two Friends of the Family Events featuring Gov. Mike Huckabee. A luncheon at the Mendenhall Inn in Mendenhall at 12 Noon and a dinner at the Lancaster Host Resort in Lancaster at 6:30 p.m. Visit www.pafamily.org/huckabee.php for sponsorship and registration info.
Don't Miss Michael Geer's The Common Good and Family Update Radio Shows on Christian Radio Stations throughout Pa. and online through our podcasts.
This Week's Guest: Randy Hicks, president of Georgia Family Council.
Topic: The impact of divorce and unwed parenthood on state government budgets, and some good news: how the cost of government can be reduced as families are kept intact.

The Pennsylvania Family Institute is a non-profit organization made possible through financial donations from our supporters. To donate to Pennsylvania Family Institute, click here: www.pafamily.org/donate
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