SC: Conservative AG Kills Same Sex Partner Health Benefits Plan

On the advice of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, a proposed state regulatory change to allow government employees to add same-sex partners to their state health benefits has been withdrawn from consideration. The suggested policy change from Democratic former Gov. Timothy M. Kaine became public in December in the waning days of his term, eliciting support from gay groups and condemnation from social conservatives.

If adopted, it would have permitted insured state workers to include "other qualified adults" living in their households - such as domestic partners, adult children and other relatives - to the state's health coverage system.

Kaine administration officials claimed that wouldn't increase state expenses because employees adding a person would pick up all the extra costs. But a state fiscal analysis dated Jan. 12 indicates that "insufficient data" and certain unknown variables make cost calculations problematic.

Full Story from the Pilot Online
Click here for gay marriage resources in South Carolina.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook - just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you'll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We're also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Virginia AG Candidate Says Laws Should Reflect Fact that Being Gay is "Wrong"

As the campaign season in Virginia enters its final days, one conservative candidate is drawing the ire from LGBT people for recent remarks against “homosexual acts.” State Sen. Ken Cuccinelli (R-Fairfax), the GOP contender seeking to become Virginia’s next attorney general, made the comments to the editorial board of the Virginian-Pilot. The paper published the remarks on Monday in an endorsement of his opponent, Democrat Steve Shannon. The election is set for Tuesday. Cuccinelli, who has often voted against gay issues during his time in the General Assembly, reportedly declined to commit to a non-discrimination policy in his office against gays as attorney general, and went on to criticize gays. “My view is that homosexual acts, not homosexuality, but homosexual acts are wrong,” he was quoted as saying. “They’re intrinsically wrong. And I think in a natural law based country it’s appropriate to have policies that reflect that.” Full Story from Washington Blade: http://www.washblade.com/2009/10-30/news/localnews/15464.cfm

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Virginia.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook - just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you'll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We're also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.