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 Majority Supports Arizona DP Benefits Plan
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: January 3, 2008 - 3:00 pm ET
(Phoenix, Arizona) A plan by Gov. Janet Napolitano's administration to provide
domestic partner benefits to Arizona state employees and retirees appears to
have the support of most citizens.
The
Department of Administration, on Napolitano's direction, filed its intent to
implement the plan last month and called for public input. The deadline
for response was Wednesday and an official with the department said that more
than 1,000 letters and emails had been received.
More than 60 percent of the responses appeared
favorable the official said.
The proposed change to Arizona employment rules
would provide health insurance for the unmarried partners, both gay and
straight, of state workers. It needs the approval of a state commission.
LGBT rights group Equality Arizona said in a
statement Wednesday night that 670 letters of support were submitted by community leaders, advocates,
state workers and residents.
"This forward step by the state will allow us to better fulfill our mission
and live up to our ideals of acceptance and nondiscrimination for all who choose
to be a part of the University of Arizona community," said University of Arizona President Robert
Shelton in his submission.
"The
outpouring of support for domestic partner benefits for Arizona state employees demonstrates the widespread sentiment that equality is valued
by Arizonans, said Equality
Arizona Executive Director Barbara McCullough-Jones.
"Throughout Arizona people work every day in state jobs that improve the lives of our residents,
ensure public safety, protect the state’s interests in water & land, and
many other functions ... However,
some of these people work under conditions that are not equitable from one
employee to the next. Specifically, un-married lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender and heterosexual workers are not afforded the same access to
benefits as some of their colleagues."
After reviewing the public input the
Department of Administration will make its recommendation, expected to be in
support of the plan, to a Napolitano-appointed panel. The panel will act on the
proposed change likely in the next few months.
The cities of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe
and Tucson already provide domestic partner benefits to their employees.
Napolitano bypassed the legislature, something
that has angered Republicans.
House Government Committee Chair Kirk Adams (R-Mesa)
said he may try to introduce a bill to block the benefits but admitted it is unclear
if he could get enough votes to pass it, and even if a bill did go through the
governor could easily veto it.
©365Gay.com 2008
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