The Michigan Senate has voted by a super-majority to reverse a state Civil Service Commission decision that would allow unmarried state employees to claim domestic partners on their health insurance.
Earlier this year, a state employment panel approved unmarried partner benefits that would include people in same-sex relationships and their dependents.
Republican state Senator Mark Jansen says the state can’t afford it – and voters have already spoken about domestic partner benefits by refusing to recognize same-sex marriages or civil unions.
“This is about economics. This is about our budget. This is about getting Michigan back on track."
But, Democratic state Senator Rebekah Warren says rejecting domestic partner benefits would hurt children.
“Families are always stronger when health insurance is accessible to everyone in the household.”
The measure now goes to the state House, where Republicans will have to muster a two-thirds majority vote to reverse the policy. Otherwise, state employees will be able to claim unmarried partners on their benefits starting October first.
