EL PASO, Texas (AP) _ El Paso’s City Council is considering reinstating medical insurance benefits for domestic partners of municipal workers left uncovered by a referendum proposed by a local evangelist.
The vote is scheduled for Tuesday.
Voters decided in November to give benefits only to city employees, legal spouses and dependent children. That not only disqualified 19 gay couples but also about 100 other partners of employees, some retirees and workers not legally considered city employees.
The council has the legal power to vote on another ordinance to restore the benefits. Meanwhile Tom Brown, the pastor behind the initiative to strip gay couples of their benefits, said he will launch a campaign to recall the mayor and those council members who vote for restoration.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)