News
2005-11-01
Michigan court
halts DP benefits
The Michigan
court of appeals on Monday halted a ruling that allows
governments and public universities to provide health
insurance to the
The Michigan
court of appeals on Monday halted a ruling that allows
governments and public universities to provide health
insurance to the partners of gay employees. The
appeals court granted Atty. Gen. Mike Cox's
request to delay a lower court's decision until the issue
can be decided by the appeals court. The court also
sped up its consideration of the appeal.
Ingham County
circuit judge Joyce Draganchuk ruled last month that
public-sector employers can offer domestic-partner benefits
without violating a same-sex marriage ban approved by
Michigan voters nearly a year ago. Cox, a Republican,
thinks the constitutional amendment prohibits
Kalamazoo and other public employers from providing
domestic-partner benefits in future contracts.
But Gov. Jennifer
Granholm, a Democrat, citing Draganchuk's decision,
wants the state civil service commission to approve the
benefits for state employees. The benefits had been
included in new labor contracts, but Granholm put them
on hold while waiting for a court ruling. (AP)
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