Marriage Class Bill goes to Gov. Perry

From KEYE:

State lawmakers decided to tie a few strings to tying the knot in Texas, by offering incentives to couples who attend premarital counseling. Those who don't would be slapped with what opponents call a marriage tax.

Lawmakers agreed Tuesday to double the marriage license fee to $60, but that fee would only have to be paid by people who don't attend marriage classes before they walk down the aisle.

Proponents say they're just trying to save an institution, but critics say that's not the business of lawmakers.

I think I have to agree with the critics. This seems like a bad idea. What on earth is an additional $30 for the marriage license going to net those who decide to go to the counseling? I think it's pretty safe to say at that cost, it won't be one on one with a genuinely qualified counselor. This is going to be a lot more like an eight hour defensive driving class...stuffed in DMV-like office with 20 other couples watching short films of Marriages Gone Bad. I'm all for good ante-nuptial counseling but The State won't provide it. This is just another way to pry another $30 out of our pockets.