Bill pushed to deny partner benefits

Bill pushed to deny partner benefits
By Art Jester
AJESTER@HERALD-LEADER.COM

Domestic partner benefits for same-sex and opposite sex unmarried couples might face their toughest opposition yet from Kentucky lawmakers after the 2008 General Assembly convenes next week.

Two state institutions -- the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky -- offer the benefits, and they just began in 2007.

But two Democratic state representatives -- Richard Henderson of Jeffersonville and Ancel Smith of Leburn --joined by 16 co-sponsors, are pushing a bill that would ban domestic partner benefits in all state agencies.

A similar bill died a year ago on a tie vote in a House committee. But there is talk of growing momentum that could carry the bill to passage.

When U of L President Jim Ramsey was asked this week whether he is worried, he slumped, frowned and replied: "Yeah." He added: "We've done what we thought was the right thing. We've been trying to say this is what major employers offer, and what we need to offer to compete with our peers."

Ramsey's worry contrasted with the guarded optimism of Kent Ostrander, executive director of The Family Foundation, a leading opponent of domestic partner benefits.

"If the House leadership allows the membership of the entire House to vote, it will pass," Ostrander said. "I would say the bill has a good chance unless there is some underhanded gamesmanship by the House leadership."

Two influential Democratic veterans in the House, budget committee chairman Harry Moberly of Richmond and Charlie Hoffman of Georgetown, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, have not announced their positions. But they said the bill stands a good chance of passage on a House floor vote, although Moberly hedged by saying: "It's kind of unpredictable whether it will get to the floor for a vote."

Hoffman said the result "would probably hinge on which committee the bill would be heard in."
Henderson agreed.

"I think the outcome will depend on which committee gets the bill," he said.

Three committees are in the running: health and welfare, education and judiciary.

The decision will be shepherded by House Speaker Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green, in his role as chairman of the committee on committees. Richards could not be reached for comment. In the past, Richards has said the issue should be left up to the universities.

House Minority Leader Jeff Hoover, R-Russell Springs, said that he and most GOP members support the bill. But Hoover thinks the Democratic leaders won't let the bill make it to a floor vote.

"It's a divisive issue among Democrats," he said.

Democrats have a 60-36 majority in the House, with four vacancies; many of those Democrats are conservatives. In the Senate, the GOP has a 21-15 majority, with one independent and one vacancy.

If the legislature passes the bill, it would go to Gov. Steve Beshear.

"Governor Beshear believes that the issue of domestic partner benefits is one that should be addressed by the individual universities," said his spokeswoman, Vicki Glass. "He would veto a bill passed by the legislature."

Some legislators believe the bill's supporters may have the 60 votes needed in the House to overturn a veto.

Domestic partner benefits have become common at the nation's Fortune 500 corporations, in Kentucky and around the nation, but the benefits still engender opposition in areas of the state where conservative churches abound.

But Henderson said his effort has been misunderstood as a "religious-driven bill." He said he opposes the benefits for several reasons:

• They violate the state constitution's marriage amendment that defines marriage as being between a man and a woman.

• There is the potential for "corruption" because unqualified applicants could pose as "gay lovers."

• He and his constituents place a high value on "protecting family values."

"This is not a hate bill," he said.

The bill drew the ire of State Rep. Tom Burch, D-Louisville, chairman of the House Health and Welfare Committee. He said he hopes his committee gets the bill again.

"I think it's a hate issue," Burch said.

He called the measure "non-Christian" because it would deny health insurance at the same time the state wants to expand coverage to all Kentuckians.

Christina Gilgor, executive director of the Kentucky Fairness Alliance, which represents the interests of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, said the issues are "fair and equal employment benefits" and "being valued and treated with dignity."

Gilgor cited a Survey USA poll of Kentuckians last month that showed only 12 percent gave top priority to banning domestic partner benefits.

But her organization, as well as those favoring the bill, will be back in Frankfort with rallies and lobbying.

"It's going to be another spectacle," she said.