Florida bill may threaten same-sex partner benefits at universities

FAU officials promised to pursue a domestic partner benefits plan following a new University of Florida program that offers insurance to the gay and lesbian partners of school employees.

But a bill filed this week could end Florida Atlantic University's pursuit before it even begins and take away domestic partner benefits from some community colleges that have offered the perk for years.

Angered over the November approval of UF's plan by its board of trustees, State Rep. Larry Cretul, R-Ocala, filed HB 581 to ban colleges and universities from using state dollars to pay benefits for domestic and same-sex partners.

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"This bill was never intended to denounce or discriminate against anyone," said Cretul, who is vice-chairman of the House's Colleges and Universities Committee. "This law will verify the fact that state dollars were never intended to be used for unmarried or domestic partners."


http://www.palmbeachpost.com/pbcsouth/content/local_news/epaper/2006/01/05/s1b_BENEFITS_0105.html

the legally "single" or the 1,000,000 GLBT residents of his state. Perhaps it is time someone in Florida remind him that tax dollars don't originate exclusively from heterosexual bigots.