LANSING (AP) – Republicans in the Michigan House are having trouble getting enough Democratic votes to overturn a decision to extend health coverage to same-sex partners or other adults living with some state employees.
A resolution that would rescind the benefits was falling nine votes short of the 74 needed to get the required two-thirds majority in the 110-member House when the vote board was cleared Tuesday. The resolution would reject benefits awarded by a Michigan Civil Service Commission decision.
The measure has been approved by a two-thirds majority in the Senate and could be taken up again in the House. Opponents of extending the benefits say the state can’t afford the costs, estimated at up to $11 million annually.
The benefits are scheduled to begin Oct. 1 for some state employees.
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