Overturn of Domestic-Partnership Rights Thwarted

Michigan house Republicans failed to pass a bill that would have stopped the state from providing health benefits to the partners of gay and lesbian employees.

According to Interlochen Public Radio, Republicans needed two thirds of the house to reverse the Civil Service Commission's decision, but not enough Democrats were willing to join the GOP's move.

Republicans argued the extension of domestic-partner benefits would violate Michigan's constitutional ban on marriage equality, passed in 2004. They also said the program would cost the state $11 million. However, Democrats like Rep. Jeff Irwin, who said the benefits package had already been promised to state workers, was skeptical of that figure.

"I just heard an $11 million dollar figure," he said, according to IPR. "I've heard a $5 million dollar figure. I've heard an $8 million dollar figure. I've heard estimates all over the map. But the point I want to make ... is this is not about money."