MICHIGAN: Gov. Rick Snyder Asks Court To Uphold Ban On Same-Sex Benefits

GOP Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has filed a motion asking a federal court to uphold a ban on domestic partner benefits for state and local government employees.

The motion asks Judge David Lawson to rule in favor of the state in a lawsuit filed by five same-sex couples. The motion argues that the 2011 law banning the benefits "eliminates local government programs that are irrational and unfair" and promotes "financially sound" local agencies. In June 2013, Lawson issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting the state from enforcing the law, Public Act 297, saying the plaintiffs in the case had a good chance of proving at trial that the law violates the equal protection guarantee of the U.S. Constitution.

RELATED: An unrelated suit for Michigan marriage equality is scheduled to have its opening arguments next week. Earlier this month the plaintiffs in that suit filed a motion demanding that discredited researcher Mark Regnerus be barred from testifying as an expert witness.