Michigan House fails to reject domestic partner benefits

The Michigan House of Representatives did not have enough votes today to pass a resolution to reverse a Michigan Civil Service Commission ruling that would extend health benefits to the unmarried partners of public employees.

The Republicans voted unanimously to overturn the ruling and prevent the benefits from being extended, but they needed 11 Democrats to vote with them and only got two to switch sides. Rather than finalize the vote, the House leadership cleared the board and called it off.

The House Republicans issued a press release that focused solely on the cost of the benefits.

Despite the state facing a $1.4 billion deficit, Michigan House Democrats today supported a controversial decision by the Civil Service Commission to spend millions of additional taxpayer dollars to provide health care benefits for roommates of state employees.

The estimated cost is $6 million a year, which is less than 3/1000ths of one percent of that $1.4 billion deficit.

Emily Dievendorf, Policy Director for Equality Michigan, praised the result:

“The House Democrats did an admirable job fighting for the health and vitality of all Michigan families through their defense of the Michigan Civil Service Commission’s extension of Other Eligible Individual benefits. The defeat of SCR9 in the House was a clear demonstration of the appreciation that many Michigan lawmakers have for fundamental fairness, a well cared for and empowered workforce, the hard work of our unions, and strong families.”

The Senate has already passed the resolution but the House has until April 18 to do so. If it is not passed by then, the window is closed and the ruling goes into effect. The Republican leadership will likely bring it back up for a vote before that date after trying to sway more Democratic legislators into joining their side.