ANN ARBOR, MI – The Thomas More Law Center announced today that on Tuesday, May 6th, the Board of Miami-Dade County Commissioners will consider an outrageous proposal that would force taxpayers to pay for marriage benefits to the partners of its homosexual employees, under a so-called ‘Domestic Partnership’ ordinance. The Thomas More Law Center has been working with the “Christian Family Coalition” (based in Miami-Dade County) and the “Florida Family Association” in order to attempt to thwart this radical homosexual power grab.
At a recent public hearing on the proposed ordinance, commissioners heard testimony from individuals claiming this “homosexual marriage” ordinance would not cost the County any money to extend healthcare benefits to domestic partners. However, this has now been uncovered as a complete falsehood.
According to County Manager George Burgess’ April 16th memo to County Commissioners, he estimates the yearly subsidy for the domestic partner of a county employee to be $2,200 and estimates up to 900 domestic partners will sign up under the domestic policy for a total annual price tag of nearly $2 million taxpayer dollars. This ordinance also would establish an official registry for same-sex couples costing taxpayers over $40,000 a year.
This will certainly affect the level of future pay raises given the current budget shortfall in Miami-Dade County.
According to the Thomas More Law Center’s legal analysis, the ‘Domestic Partner’ proposal clearly violates Florida’s Defense of Marriage Act (D.O.M.A.). TMLC has promised to pursue filing a lawsuit against Miami-Dade County should this ordinance be adopted.
Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center commented, “The public policy of the state of Florida is to only recognize traditional marriage. We have seen this word game, slippery-slope tactic used by radical homosexual groups before. First they ask for ‘domestic partnerships,’ then a year or so later they demand that courts recognize their “civil right” to marry. This is why the Thomas More Law Center also supports the Florida constitutional amendment to protect marriage in Florida this Fall.”
Join us at a “Rally For Marriage” on Tuesday, MAY 6, 2008 at 8:00 A.M. The rally is to support marriage as the union of one man and one woman in Miami-Dade County at the STEPHEN P. CLARK BUILDING located at 111 NW 1ST Street in Miami.
The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life through litigation, education, and related activities. It does not charge for its services. The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization. You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.