Legislation Changes State Benefit System For Live-In Partners

Legislation is being introduced in the Michigan Senate to change how state benefits are offered to employees now that same sex marriage is legal. The Granholm administration enacted a policy of allowing same sex partners to be covered by a state worker’s benefits. However, state Senator Rick Jones tells WKZO News, now that such couples can marry, the policy should be changed.

“I think most people realize everybody can get married if they want to, so the taxpayer should have top pay about a million dollars a year for live-in boyfriends and girlfriends,” Jones said.

Jones says state employee unions oppose the plan. He’s previously introduced a similar bill that stalled in the legislative process.