A bill that takes money from a program for needy Oklahoma families and directs that it be used to create an advertising campaign to promote marriage has cleared the Oklahoma House.
The House voted 71-27 Wednesday for the bill sponsored by Republican House Speaker T.W. Shannon of Lawton. The proposal calls for the creation of a statewide public service announcement campaign that promotes marriage as a tool against poverty.
It directs that the campaign be paid for by funds allocated to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, program. TANF provides temporary cash assistance to poor families for up to 60 months in cases of a parent's death, incapacity, absence or unemployment.
Opponents argued the money would be better used to feed and clothe the needy instead of paying for commercials.
