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CURRENT PRESS RELEASE |
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12/22/11
Gov. Rick Snyder today signed into law Public Act 297 of 2011, a bill sponsored by Rep. Dave Agema that prohibits the extension of health care benefits to the unmarried partners and roommates of public employees.
"Plain and simple this issue is a fiscal one,” said Rep. Dave Agema, R-Grandville. “Our role in Lansing is to protect the rights of our residents and to be careful stewards of our state’s very limited resources. Time and again Michigan residents have said ‘no’ to paying for the health benefits of the roommates and unmarried partners of public employees, and the Governor’s signature today gives the people’s voice the rule of law.
“It has been a nice change of pace to work on legislation this year and be able to send it to a governor who values fiscal responsibility and the oaths of office we all took. I am honored to have Gov. Snyder’s approval on a measure I fought very hard for.
“Michigan voters, our Supreme Court, and the attorney general all have said this in different ways, and today Gov. Snyder has given the weight of law to a key part of the Michigan constitution. I am grateful that the governor took time to consider this legislation and recognizes the importance of it.
“This is a fiscal issue. We are serious in Lansing about respecting the will of the people and protecting our residents from unconstitutional and unnecessary financial liabilities when too many are already struggling to make ends meet."
Public Act 297 went to Snyder with an accompanying bill, which was vetoed by the governor due to a technical problem with language. The veto does not impact the implementation of Public Act 297.
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