Two Ann Arbor couples are at the forefront of an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit filed Thursday asking a federal court to strike down a state law that bans domestic partner benefits for some public employees.
“This is not about politics or ideology for us,” Ann Arbor teacher Peter Ways said in a news release issued by the ACLU. Ways’ partner will lose his Ann Arbor schools’ benefits under the law. “This is about real families who are facing the real consequences of discriminatory laws. Just like our colleagues whose families will continue to receive health insurance, we want to care for our families.”
The ban, signed into law last month by Gov. Rick Snyder, mostly affects local governments and public schools and applies to health insurance and other benefits for unmarried partners of the employees, same sex or not.It's not clear whether ban applies to employees of public universities . The governor's office, and officials from the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University say it does not. However, some Michigan lawmakers say it does.
Supporters of the ban, including Rep. Dave Agema , R-Grandville, say providing such benefits is too costly. "It is not the responsibility of taxpayers to support the roommates and unmarried partners of public employees," Agema said in a statement before the measure was signed into law. “ We are doing all we can to respect the will of the people and not place an unnecessary economic burden on our residents while so many are struggling to make ends meet."
The ACLU said the four couples named in the lawsuit are in long-term, committed relationships. Besides Ways and his partner Joe Breakey, the couples include Theresa Bassett and Carol Kennedy of Ann Arbor, JoLinda Jach and Barbara Ramber of Kalamazoo and Doak Bloss and Gerardo Ascheri of East Lansing
Ways and Breakey have a 9-year-old daughter. Breakey is self-employed as a licensed therapist. Being self-employed gives Joe the flexibility to be home for their daughter after school. The couple is considering a move to Washington so that that Ways could take a job that provides family benefits.

As the state House prepares to vote on legislation banning domestic partner benefits for some public employees in Michigan, Washtenaw County is taking a stand. The county board voted 9-2 Wednesday night to go on Two Ann Arbor couples are at the

By Mary Morgan A widely used forecast of population, employment and other community indicators – prepared by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) – is being revised through 2040. At a working session on Tuesday, Ann Arbor planning
Ann Arbor firefighter Daniel Armitage took his own life last Thursday morning, the Oakland County Medical Examiner ruled Monday. The conclusion was based on certain findings made by Michigan State Police accident investigators.

Both McCort and Dietz will be moving their practices in April - McCort to the East Ann Arbor Health Center, and Dietz to the Saline Health Center. According to Greenberg, these three doctors staff the outpatient internal medicine practice.

would conflict with the high value we place on respect and celebration of diverse people including but not limited to diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions; … and would lessen the attraction of Ann Arbor and Michigan
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