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UA President, hundreds others express support for domestic partner benefits in Arizona
UA President, hundreds others express support for domestic partner benefits in Arizona
01/02/2008 (12:27 PM)
Equality Arizona www.equalityarizona.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 2, 2008
Contact: Sam Holdren
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(602) 650-0900 office (602) 384-1864 mobile
University of Arizona President, hundreds others express support for state employee domestic partner benefits in Arizona
Phoenix, Ariz. - Equality Arizona announced today that more than 670 letters of support for domestic partner benefits were submitted by community leaders, advocates, state workers and residents to the Arizona Department of Administration during the public comment period for a proposed rule clarification that would allow state employees to add their same- or opposite-gender partner and their children to their benefits plan. Among those submitting support letters were UA President Robert N. Shelton, Tucson City Councilmember Steve Leal, Scottsdale City Councilmember Wayne Ecton, Planned Parenthood Arizona and the Arizona chapter of the National Organization for Women.
Equality Arizona Executive Director Barbara McCullough-Jones issued the following statement today:
"The outpouring of support for domestic partner benefits for Arizona state employees demonstrates the widespread sentiment that equality is valued by Arizonans.
"Throughout Arizona people work every day in state jobs that improve the lives of our residents, ensure public safety, protect the state's interests in water & land, and many other functions. They work to create the "One Arizona" envisioned by Governor Napolitano.
"However, some of these people work under conditions that are not equitable from one employee to the next. Specifically, un-married lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and heterosexual workers are not afforded the same access to benefits as some of their colleagues.
"By offering domestic partner benefits, the State will be in line with the four major cities in Arizona who currently offer domestic partner benefits to their employees, including Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe and Tucson.
"Nearly 250,000 children in Arizona do not currently have health insurance. Allowing coverage for domestic partners and their children strengthens families and helps provide Arizona's children with the care they need to grow healthy.
"We applaud Arizona for taking this necessary step in building a strong economy and healthy families."
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