Partner benefits stand for Michigan state workers
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A decision to provide health insurance to same-sex domestic partners of Michigan state government employees is intact.
In an order released Thursday, the state Supreme Court unanimously declined to hear an appeal filed by Republican Attorney General Bill Schuette.
Over objections from Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, the Michigan Civil Service Commission in 2011 voted to have the state health insurance plan cover non-family members who've lived continuously with state workers for at least a year.
The state appeals court ruled 2-1 in January of this year that the policy doesn't conflict with a 2004 gay marriage ban. The court said it's not the place of courts to second-guess the wisdom of state action.
Supreme Court justices said they weren't persuaded they should review the issue.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.