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Loading ...Gov. signs Colo. benefits bill
05.21.2009 2:39pm EDT
(Denver, Colorado) Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter has signed legislation providing health insurance and other benefits to the same-sex partners of Colorado state workers.
Ritter put his pen to the bill without fanfare. Even the bill’s chief sponsor, Rep. Mark Ferrandino (D) said he did not know the governor had signed it when contacted by the Denver Post.“It’s an important piece of legislation that will help make sure the state can attract and retain good employees and compete with the private sector,” Ferrandino told The Post.
Critics of the bill also were not informed in advance, infuriating the conservative Colorado Family Action.
“We have no doubt the governor and fellow Colorado legislators heard vehement opposition from their constituents in regards to this bill,” said Action spokesperson Jessica Langfeldt in a statement.
“If the signing of Senate Bill 88 did not disregard the desires of the people, why was it signed in the dark of the night?”
Under the legislation, a state employee would have to be in a committed relationship for at least a year.
Workers had been lobbying for the provision for several years but were fought by Republicans who argued it violated a 2006 referendum that defines marriage as a union of one man and one woman.
GOP lawmakers also claimed it would cost too much and was discriminatory because it does not apply to unmarried opposite-sex couples who live together.
The plan is expected to cost about $150,000 a year and will go into effect in July.
In April Ritter also signed without notice a domestic partner bill making it easier for unmarried couples to make medical decision for incapacitated partners and leave property to their partners.
The measure would apply to same and opposite-sex unmarried couples.
The Designated Beneficiary Agreement Act permits any two people – regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity – to enter into designated beneficiary agreements that confer specific legal rights and responsibilities, including the right to receive state employee pension benefits, the right to make medical decisions for an incapacitated partner, and the right to inherit if a partner dies without a will.
“Critics of the bill also were not informed in advance, infuriating the conservative Colorado Family Action.” HOOT…poor babies..well they can start crying now about all the free wild sex the governor will cause by signing the bill. Remember, its all about SEX SEX SEX…not about coworkers, or children, or families.
Another step forward. Congratulations to the LGBT families in Colorado.
Missy Jessica Langfeldt:
Vehement Opposition ???
How would you like it if your spouse was not able to carry you on his insurance or you carry him on yours ?
Truthfully all families would benifit from your group doing something better with its time.
Why do you think the Gov needs your permission to let people take care of the one(s) (spouse and kids) that they love.
Tom in Long Beach. Insured on my spouses L.A. county job. Thank goodness.
Despite the claims of the “Fambly” Action spokesliar, this “vehement opposition” belies the hollow claim of the ‘religious’ ‘right’ that they think gays should be/are treated equally before the law. Treat OUR spouses the same as THEIRS? Heresy!
“GOP lawmakers also claimed it would cost too much”
Why would giving our spouses benefits cost any more than giving them to the spouse of a str8 employee? More nonsense.
“and was discriminatory because it does not apply to unmarried opposite-sex couples who live together.”
Completely ignoring that 1.) str8 employees have the OPTION to get married, and 2.) gay employees CAN’T marry in Colorado. Ah yes, that old double standard.
The critics of the bill are also the critics of “with liberty and justice for ALL”
Everybody send the Governor a thank you letter, whether you live in CO or not. That is smart politics, because people outside represent the views of people inside the state.
These are not consolation awards. They are part of moving society forward.
And at the same time ultimately turning the churches of hatred into Museums.
To teach future generations of children how “God” was corrupted by religious conservatives.
Just as the same God, by another name, was corrupted into what led to 9/11
And that society was poisoned by none other then the Crusades by the Catholic church, in cohort with corrupt kings and emperors.
And they dare speak about God, and then elect Razi as leader.
Why – because they are dying in Europe, where only about 15% of the people regularly attend church. And most of those are widows looking for a new husband.
Make it so here also.