James at work seeking to end same-sex benefits {NC}

[xchrom]

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/05/10/3229911/james-at-work-seeking-to-end-same.html

It didn’t take Mecklenburg County commissioner Bill James long after Amendment One passed to start targeting eliminating benefits the county provides same-sex and other unmarried couples. In an email Wednesday to County Attorney Marvin Bethune and County Manager Harry Jones, he made his pitch:

“Since Amendment One has passed, when will we [county commissioners] get a memo or something that outlines what changes we need to make to our health plan to be in compliance? I recall when the Democrats on the Commission forced the issue and added these benefits for homosexuals that a number of legal experts said it was illegal then. … Now that Amendment One has passed it obviously is illegal to offer this benefit as there is now only one ‘domestic legal union’ recognized in the state…”

In a reply, Jones said:

“Our legal and human resources staffs are evaluating the Amendment, as well our policy, to determine what, if any, potential impact the Amendment will have on Mecklenburg County. As soon as we complete our evaluation we will brief the board … on our findings, conclusions, and policy options available to you.”

James also tweeted hours after the vote: “Now that #4Marriage #amendment 1 has passed – we need to eliminate those illegal benefits.”

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/05/10/3229911/james-at-work-seeking-to-end-same.html#storylink=cpy

[xchrom]

1. I'll give this 1 kick. Nt

[yardwork]

2. K&R so that people see what we're up against.