A bill that would have raised fees for marriage licenses and certificates for some couples in Indiana is likely dead for this legislative session.The measure would have quadrupled those fees for couples who did not complete marriage preparation classes.Bill sponsor Rep. Cindy Noe, a Republican from Indianapolis, said she was unable to work out details of the proposal before an upcoming legislative deadline.(Information for this story also came from the Associated Press)Noe argued that the classes would better prepare couples for some of the difficulties that come with marriage and help prevent family fragmentation. Opponents said it was ironic that the proposal would come from a member of the Republican Party, which often wants little interference from the government. Critics of the bill said it represented government intrusion into private lives.Under Noe’s bill, couples who completed premarital classes would have paid the standard $18 fee for a marriage license and certificate. Couples who didn’t would have paid $72.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.
