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CURRENT PRESS RELEASE |
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9/15/11
The Michigan House of Representatives today approved legislation prohibiting health care benefits for roommates of public employees.
"It is not the responsibility of taxpayers to support the roommates and unmarried partners of public employees," said Rep. Dave Agema, R-Grandville, who sponsored the legislation. "Providing benefits in this way is not the role of the state, especially when tax dollars are in short supply and there are critical programs being affected by the decrease in revenue.
"Michigan voters, our Supreme Court, and the attorney general all agree with these bills, and passing legislation is just another way to underline their point to those who don't seem to get it. This is a fiscal issue. We are doing all we can to respect the will of the people and not place an unnecessary economic burden on our residents while so many are struggling to make ends meet."
House Bill 4770 prohibits public employers from providing health benefits to domestic partners or roommates of public employees, while HB 4771 excludes these benefits as a subject of collective bargaining.
The bills were approved by a party line vote of 64-44 and now go to the Senate for consideration.
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