Groups vow to fight Snyder’s decision to sign legislation that eliminates domestic partner benefits

Yesterday, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed House Bill 4770, which eliminates health care benefits for domestic partners who work in the public sector.

The Michigan ACLU and numerous LGBT organizations had aggressively fought the new legislation, which passed in the House in September and in the Senate earlier this month.

Voting on the bill was nearly unanimous along partisan lines, with Republicans voting for the legislation and Democrats against. Local State Representative Dave Agema introduced the bill, which adds to his long list of far right legislative proposals, along with anti-immigration, anti-union and anti-Muslim bills.

The statewide LGBT organization Equality Michigan responded to Snyder’s decision by saying, “The Governor’s support for this bill is appalling. He has put hardworking gay and lesbian couples and their children into harm’s way by eliminating important health care coverage.”

The Director for ACLU Michigan added, “The decision to take healthcare benefits away from families just in time for the holidays is mean-spirited and cruel. Governor Snyder had an opportunity to show real leadership and put an end to the political games; instead he approved an extreme policy that sets our state back, jeopardizes our economy and puts our families at risk. The bill serves no other purpose than to single out a small minority of people and deprive them of critical protections as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.”

Both the Michigan ACLU and Equality Michigan plans to fight this decision by Governor Snyder, although no specifics are available on what kind of a campaign either group will develop. We will provide updates when any efforts develop.