2008 Legislative Session Ends
Governor Vetoes Local DP Benefits Bill
The 2008 session of the Minnesota legislature ended Sunday, May 18th
with a veto of a bill that would have benefited the gay, lesbian,
bisexual, and transgender community.
Governor Pawlenty vetoed SF 960 – a common sense fair-minded bill –
which would have allowed local governments to offer whatever health
benefits they chose, including domestic partner benefits, to their
employees. His veto message said: "The provisions in this bill would
permit unlimited expansion of employment benefits to domestic partners
and others by local units of government. I vetoed nearly identical
language last year, and my position has not changed." (In 2007, his veto
message said "I am opposed to any legislation concerning domestic
partners benefits."
Contact the governor to express your
disappointment and remind him he has GLBT constituents!
Governor Tim Pawlenty
Telephone: (651) 296-3391
Toll Free: (800) 657-3717
E-mail:
tim.pawlenty@state.mn.us
Remind the governor that health care is a major issue in our state
and this bill would have helped shore up the disparity of health care
coverage experienced by the GLBT community. A recent study by the
Rainbow Health
Initiative showed 22 percent of GLBT people in the state are without
health care coverage.
Also tell the governor that he missed an opportunity to enact a
common sense bill that not only addresses health care coverage for
families but provides local control of local issues....and helps local
governments catch up to the private sector. Hundreds of companies doing
business in Minnesota already provide domestic partner benefits to their
employees.
Communicate to the governor that his actions affect you, your family,
and your community.
Other Legislation
Comprehensive Sex Education (SF 3001/HF 615)
The responsible sex education legislation did not succeed due to the
threat of a gubernatorial veto. Members of the Coalition for Responsible
Sex Ed (of which OutFront Minnesota is a member) were working around the
clock to find ways to move the bill forward. However, the rush to finish
the session along with the governor’s opposition, led to the bill not
being successful this year.
This legislation would have enabled school students to receive
comprehensive age-appropriate sexuality education. This is important to
gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth - as well as
to all youth - to have the information necessary to make healthy
decisions for themselves. This is the type of information not provided
under an exclusive “abstinence-until-marriage” curriculum.”
OutFront Minnesota is proud to be part of the
Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed which tirelessly advocated for this
bill.
Media Stories on Comp Sex Ed
Watch
KARE 11 story on anti-gay rhetoric that arose on the House floor.
Read
Worthington Daily Globe article on the sex ed bill
Read
Nick Coleman's Star Tribune column on the importance of thorough sex
ed
Read
Star Tribune editorial calling for better sex education.
Read
MPR story showing parental support for sex education.
See
KARE 11 story on this subject.
Parent Survey
Read results of
survey which shows strong support among Minnesota parents for comp
sex ed.
Employee Family Leave (SF 1128/HF 219 and 1812)
Provisions that would have included the gay, lesbian, bisexual,
and transgender community in family leave legislation were removed.
OutFront Minnesota appreciates the advocacy of lawmakers who tried to
include our community in family leave bills.
Looking Ahead
We'll be electing or re-electing the entire Minnesota House of
Representatives this fall.
Volunteer at
Pride to help register people to vote!
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