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Sep 22, 2011
Republicans who control the Michigan House of Representatives passed legislation on Sept. 15 to prohibit public employees from sharing their health benefits with their domestic partners.
The 64-44 to vote was mostly along party lines. The measure goes next to the Republican-led Senate, where it’s also expected to pass.
The Associated Press reports that it’s unclear how much impact the legislation would have if it became law. It’s written to apply to “all public employers to the greatest extent consistent with constitutionally allocated powers.”
Democrats who opposed the legislation say it is unconstitutional and would be challenged in court. They say public universities have the constitutional authority to determine their own policies, and that the Michigan Civil Service Commission has the power to make decisions about what kinds of benefits are offered to many state employees.
The civil service commission voted early this year to allow domestic partner benefits for some state employees starting in October. Republicans tried to overturn the decision but couldn’t get the two-thirds majority vote needed in the House.
