Montco Commissioner Criticizes Issuance of Same-Sex Marriage Licenses
By Brad Segall
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- Montgomery County is gearing up for the expected court battle over the county register of wills' decision to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
But one county commissioner believes that's a battle they can't win.
Bruce Castor, the lone Republican on the board of commissioners, won't state his position on gay marriage publicly, saying he's looking at the issue from a purely legal standpoint.
According to Castor, Bruce Hanes has overstepped his authority dramatically by believing he can overturn an act of the legislature purely on a whim. And Castor predicts it will be an uphill battle for Hanes in court.
"I believe there is absolutely no chance that Mr. Hanes will prevail in the early rounds in court, because I don't believe that any court in Pennsylvania will overturn an act of the legislature," Castor said today.
A courtroom loss, he says, will invalidate those licenses, leaving a lot of people disappointed.
Montgomery County has issued more than three dozen marriage licenses to same-sex couples since last week (see related story). Several of those couples have already married (another related story).
