WWMT - City of Kalamazoo stops same sex benefits
*sigh* Back to court. Let's waste more time and money while we hurt working families.
KALAMAZOO (NEWS 3) - The city of Kalamazoo has decided to stop offering benefits to same-sex partners of its employees.
But, the city will spend thousands of dollars in taxpayer money to go to court and fight the Attorney General's decision.
The City Manager decided to follow his own lawyer's advice and comply with Attorney General Mike Cox's opinion that same-sex benefits violate voter approved Proposal Two.
"Whether or not I agree with the Attorney General is irrelevant. The highest law enforcement official in the state has rendered an opinion on our policy," said Pat Digiovanni.
Digiovanni called it a difficult decision, but one meant to protect the city financially.
Several residents expressed their displeasure in the decision, but the city manager said that he must uphold the law.
Only Commissioner Mary Balkema voted against going to court. She pointed out that there is already a lawsuit in Ingham County, and three Kalamazoo employees are part of that suit.
With tonights decision, five current city employees will lose benefits for their partners at the end of this year.
Disturbing to lose your security over bigotry, of course. Also disturbing is that fact that cities will lose talented employees who will go elsewhere- Michigan loses, everyone loses on this, except for the few sanctimonious assholes who can smugly smile knowing they've hurt other people in the name of their religion. Jesus must be so proud.
But then I look around and realize that a lot of people are losing benefits on the basis of "saving money" alone. Grand Rapids Public Schools, for example. Bus drivers were ready to concede their families benefits just to keep their jobs. Didn't work- and now their positions will be eliminated and they will have to re-apply with Dean Transportation and take a huge pay and benefit cut.
All in all, bad times in Michigan. Lower pay, less benefits, good jobs going bye-bye. Makes me sad. Just when are those tax cuts going to start benefiting us, anyway?