NYC council passes bill to expand DP benefits

Private companies who do business with New York City would be required to offer their employees domestic-partner benefits under new legislation passed by the city council. However, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he plans to veto the bill, which was approved by the council on Wednesday by a vote of 43-5. The legislation, called the Equal Benefits Bill, would require companies with city contracts worth at least $100,000 to provide health, family, and bereavement benefits to employees' domestic partners, gay or straight. The mayor argued that the city's procurement process should not be used to promote social causes, saying it does not matter whether he supports the cause or not. "The city has an obligation to get the best services for its citizens at the lowest price," Bloomberg said. Supporters of the bill said the council has enough votes to override a veto by the mayor.