Michigan Bans Partner Benefits

Michigan's GOP Gov. Rick Snyder has signed a bill that bans all state agencies from offering domestic partner benefits.

"The decision to take healthcare benefits away from families just in time for the holidays is mean-spirited and cruel. Governor Snyder had an opportunity to show real leadership and put an end to the political games; instead he approved an extreme policy that sets our state back, jeopardizes our economy and puts our families at risk," said Kary Moss, executive director of the Michigan ACLU. "The bill serves no other purpose than to single out a small minority of people and deprive them of critical protections as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. We are prepared to challenge this law on behalf of Michigan families in the coming weeks."

Michigan now faces a mass exodus at its state universities, where educators and administrators had threatened to resign if the bill became law. Analysts are divided as to whether the new law applies to the education system.