Legislature to consider extending domestic partner benefits to state workers

Rep. Ferrandino and Sen. Veiga have introduced a bill to give the same-sex partners of state workers the same insurance benefits that straight couple enjoy,

Sen. Jennifer Veiga and Rep. Mark Ferrandino, Denver Democrats who are the only openly gay and lesbian members of the legislature, are sponsoring Senate Bill 88. No date has been set yet for its first committee hearing.

The bill is needed to help Colorado compete for quality workers against private companies and other states, which increasingly offer these benefits, Ferrandino said Thursday morning. It is also an issue of fairness to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees who don't know enjoy the same benefits as their heterosexual cohorts, he said.

I agree with Rep. Ferrandino on all accounts. This is not only the right thing to do morally it will enhance the competitiveness of the state. Obviously with our current budget crisis cost is a factor. It will be interesting to see how large the Fiscal Note for this bill is, that will be the determinative factor in it's ultimate success this year.