By Rick Pluta
Governor Rick Snyder said he is no closer to a decision on whether to approve or reject a ban on health benefits that cover the live-in unmarried partners of public employees.
The ban would cover benefits for unmarried partners in same-sex or heterosexual relationships with public employees who work for cities or counties, school districts or state agencies. There's a question on whether the ban would also outlaw live-in partner benefits offered by state universities. Governor Snyder said he wants the law to respect the independence of public universities, and that's one of the answers he needs before he makes his decision.
"We'll take them in the normal course of things and look at them with great diligence, as we always do."
Republican state Representative Dave Agema thinks his bill does cover universities. He said universities should not be offering benefits to people in same-sex or unmarried relationships.
"So I say sign the bill."
If the governor does, it might take a lawsuit to settle the confusion.
Copyright 2010, MPRN
Governor Rick Snyder said he is no closer to a decision on whether to approve or reject a ban on health benefits that cover the live-in unmarried partners of public employees.
The ban would cover benefits for unmarried partners in same-sex or heterosexual relationships with public employees who work for cities or counties, school districts or state agencies. There's a question on whether the ban would also outlaw live-in partner benefits offered by state universities. Governor Snyder said he wants the law to respect the independence of public universities, and that's one of the answers he needs before he makes his decision.
"We'll take them in the normal course of things and look at them with great diligence, as we always do."
Republican state Representative Dave Agema thinks his bill does cover universities. He said universities should not be offering benefits to people in same-sex or unmarried relationships.
"So I say sign the bill."
If the governor does, it might take a lawsuit to settle the confusion.
Copyright 2010, MPRN