A Kentucky senate
bill that would have barred state agencies and
schools from providing health insurance for the domestic
partners of employees was killed by a committee in the
state house of representatives. The Health and
Welfare Committee voted 9-6 to reject the bill,
according to The [Louisville] Courier-Journal.
Committee member
David Watkins called the legislation divisive and said
the senate is ignoring more prominent problems in health,
such as smoking, obesity, and adequate mental health
services.
"I am tired of
the same petty issues coming before us when we've got
major issues to address," he said, according to the article.
He also criticized a supporter of the bill, the Family
Foundation, for not being more concerned with larger
health issues.
The bill's
sponsor, Sen. Vernie McGaha, said he would introduce the
legislation again next year. He said he was concerned about
the erosion of the sanctity of marriage by the
provision of domestic-partner benefits.
Gay state senator
Ernesto Scorsone said he was pleased with the outcome
of the bill's fate. "I think most Kentuckians believe if you
are able to pay for the insurance, you ought to be
able to buy it," Scorsone told TheCourier-Journal. "I really do think it's a
great victory for fairness." (The Advocate)
