Things have been as grim in Michigan as anywhere that had extreme Republicans take over, but on Tuesday there was a victory. The House failed to pass legislation that would have reversed a Michigan Civil Service Commission ruling that extend health benefits to domestic partners of public employees.
The Republicans voted unanimously to overturn the ruling and prevent the benefits from being extended, but they needed 11 Democrats to vote with them and only got two to switch sides. Rather than finalize the vote, the House leadership cleared the board and called it off.
The House Republicans issued a press release that focused solely on the cost of the benefits.
Despite the state facing a $1.4 billion deficit, Michigan House Democrats today supported a controversial decision by the Civil Service Commission to spend millions of additional taxpayer dollars to provide health care benefits for roommates of state employees.
The estimated cost is $6 million a year, which is less than 3/1000ths of one percent of that $1.4 billion deficit.
Right, public employees' roommates are emptying the state's coffers. This wasn't just another attempt to hit public employees from the new Republican regime. At least this one the Dems could fight off, for now. The Senate has already passed it, and the House has one more month to try to get it through. Turning 11 votes will be a challenge, but the Republican leadership is expected to try, and to bring the legislation back up for a vote.