Lexington, Ky., considers rescinding DP benefits

Employees of the city of Lexington, Ky., who currently receive domestic-partner health benefits may soon no longer have that option, if a Tuesday vote by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council is any indication. The council voted 10-3, with one abstention, to place an item on a future agenda that would deny the extension of health insurance benefit coverage to domestic partners--same-sex or opposite-sex--of city employees. The proposal must have two readings in front of the council before a final vote is taken. The second reading likely will take place on November 6. The vote was the latest development in a battle over domestic-partner benefits that has included a council moratorium, a mayoral veto of the moratorium, and a council override of the veto. Mayor Teresa Isaac introduced the health plan change in the spring, angering council members who were upset that she never notified them of her plans. The council voted to impose a moratorium on offering such benefits, which Isaac vetoed. The council overrode that veto.