Domestic Partner Benefits-costing the county less than the appeal
Continuing coverage of Tuesday evening’s county Legislature meeting finds us back at the public forum listening to, who else? The public. The big issue on many people’s minds is Domestic Partner benefits. We’ve reported on this ongoing saga several times here, here and here to list a few. The previous post was to wet your appetite for more info on Monroe County and Maggie Broonarik’s most recent foibles in regards to this subject.
- Wendy Blackstone spoke on this first. She identified herself as: A lesbian by birth, mother by choice, taxpayer by law. She owns her own home, is gainfully employed and married to her wife in Massachusetts. She now has all legal rights afforded to any married couple and wonders why the county believes in discrimination.
- Bess Watts, President of Rochester/Finger Lakes Chapter of Pride at Work, questions how appealing the supreme courts decision to recognize gay marriage protects taxpayers. Bess is a taxpayer-she’s not being protected. This is discrimination based on sexual orientation. The gay population is deemed as second class and the decision to appeal does not make economic sense. Found a great essay by Bess here.
- Dennis O’Brien spoke as a taxpayer and concerned citizen. He is outraged that Maggie is using tax payer dollars to tell people that their loved ones will not be taken care of. Using tax payer dollars to go to court. The blood is on your hands (Maggie) don’t put in on mine. (You go, Dennis!)
- Willa Powell, member Rochester City School Board, says that the City School Board sat down with Health-Care Insurers to check on the cost for DP Benefits. States that we will be spending more money on the appeal than we would have to spend to insure domestic partners of County Employees. There is just no justification for this appeal.
- Sandy Frankel, Supervisor, town of Brighton says that we have an obligation to recognize and accept the Supreme Court’s decision. The Town of Brighton provides DP Benefits to it’s employees and it is less than 1% of the total cost, so the excuse that costs will be increased just doesn’t hold water.
- Ann Tischer believes that Monroe County needs to open it’s mind.
Videos of both Bess and Ann can be found at this post from Stlo7. This isn’t a new issue with Monroe County, but it should be coming to a head. The County is not gonna win this one. Maggie, you’re way out of line.
I think that when Brooks and Company make unilateral decisions that defy the public interests and LOSE, we should be able to sue her personally to get our money back.
Maybe then they’ll think twice before acting stupid on our dime.
Have a public referendum and put it to a vote. You’ll win, she’ll look bad, and mocha frappacino’s all around.
I’m not sure we’d win a referendum in Monroe County. Statewide, probably. In Monroe? Maybe.
Excellent. Sounds like you’re buying?
Todd Plank also spoke eloquently while showing portraits of same sex couples with children. The arguments against the appeal were overwhelming. It is interesting to note that not ONE person spoke in favor of the appeal.
Thank you Bess, I didn’t get Todd’s name, but I did have some highlights of when he spoke. When I get home today, I will add that as an addendum.
i can’t wait for a time when government is not held hostage by religious views on marriage. look at spitzer. yet another man/woman marriage in the crapper. maybe marriage isn’t ‘natural’ for anyone…
Maybe marriage isn’t natural for anyone. Check out Bill Maher’s take on spitzer over at HuffPost.
Yeah, Bill Maher is somebody I look to for advice all the time because you know, when he’s not drunk, stoned, or banging anything that moves, he’s such a deep thinker.
Yeah, maybe we should look to you, wormwood.
Don’t shoot him ladkiddo - he’s buying mocha frappacinos for everyone!
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