Go, Rep. Watkins for saying enough is enough. Did anyone else find it interesting that the Family Foundation representative sat at the testimony table with Sen. McGaha? Didn't Chairman Burch say that only he (McGaha) was going to speak to the bill before action? Oh well, yet again - the Family Foundation isn't truly looking out for everyone's family - I know they aren't mine.
~Jody
Ban on insurance for domestic partners rejected
By Deborah Yetter • dyetter@courier-journal.com • March 20, 2008
FRANKFORT, Ky. — A House committee today killed a Senate bill that would bar state universities and other public agencies from providing health insurance for domestic partners of employees.The 9-6 vote rejecting Senate Bill 112 appears to kill the controversial measure for the current legislative session. And it prompted Rep. David Watkins, D-Henderson, to deliver a tongue-lashing to the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Vernie McGaha, R-Russell Springs, before he voted against it.Watkins, a family physician, called the measure divisive and said the Senate is ignoring the state’s biggest health problems, including smoking, obesity and a lack of adequate mental health services.“I am tired of the same petty issues coming before us when we’ve got major issues to address,’’ he said.The bill would ban public agencies from providing health coverage for unmarried couples — gay or straight. McGaha afterward said his concern is the “sanctity of marriage” and that he was offended by Watkins’ comments.“Dr. Watkins is totally off-base,” McGaha said. “He is a disgrace to the process we have here.”McGaha said if the measure is dead this year, he will bring it back next year.
Reporter Deborah Yetter can be reached at (502) 582-4228.
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