Domestic partner bill called in line with McGreevey's concerns

[Khephra]

TRENTON, N.J. -- A Democrat-sponsored bill that would allow same-sex couples to form domestic partnerships and thereby gain some of the tax and insurance benefits enjoyed by married couples could become law by early next year, according to a spokesman for Gov. James E. McGreevey.

The measure introduced by Senate Co-President Richard Codey, an Essex County Democrat, would limit domestic partnerships to heterosexual couples 63 and older who could jeopardize pension benefits by remarrying, and to adult same-sex couples.

An earlier measure in the Assembly would have enabled any two unmarried adults living together to gain the benefits of domestic partnerships. The Assembly version drew criticism from McGreevey as too broad and expensive.

"Now we're at a point where we're hopeful we can get a domestic partnership benefits bill on the governor's desk during the lame-duck session," McGreevey spokesman Micah Rasmussen told The Sunday Star-Ledger of Newark.

more.......

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-nj--domesticpartnerbi1207dec07,0,5040795.story?coll=ny-ap-regional-wire

[davidinalameda]

1. it's a start

but there are still federal benefits that states can't give

[last1standing]

2. Unfortunately this might be the best we can do right now.

n/t

[Khephra]

3. It's better to take one small step forward

Than two steps back.