Budget negotiations still involve partner benefits, stem cell research

Controversial social issues continue to be a source of contention in the legislature’s battle over the state budget.

Republicans — who control both chambers of the legislature as well as the governor’s office — have struck a deal to keep the provision which would require universities to report stem cell research to the legislature. It will also keep a “sense of the legislature” provision in the budget that offering health benefits to unmarried unrelated adults living with state workers, including universities, is illegal.

Now more is surfacing on the deal that is keeping these in place. Susan Demas at MLive.com reports:

… the social conservatives got their pound of flesh and both provisions are in the budget, although universities won’t lose any money. … now Snyder is expected to advise the Legislature in his veto letter that they’re unenforceable.

Also, an earlier proposal for a five percent funding penalty for universities that offer partner benefits may still be in play. State Rep. Dave Agema (R-Grandville) says on his Facebook there will be stand alone legislation. Agema has two posts on his Facebook encouraging his supporters to call lawmakers about the provision.

The first post was published Sunday at 10:11 am:

Budgets are being finalized for the state. My same sex benefit penalty for colleges breaking the law was stripped from the Highier [sic] Ed. budget with a promise for a bill to do it in the near future. This bill will prevent same sex/unmarried healthcare benefits for all state paid employees putting the state in line with the peoples vote, the AG’s decision and the Supreme court ruling. Let us stand firm on this issue.

The second post was published Monday at 7:15 a.m.

Please let your Reps., Senators and the Governor know you are upset with same sex/unmarried benefits being left in the Highier [sic] Education bill but expect them to vote for the upcoming bill to prevent it because it’s against tthe [sic] peoples vote, the AG’s decision and the Supreme Court ruling. We need to press this issue or lose it to the liberals forever.