Rep. Jeff Irwin, Democrats defeat GOP-backed effort to take away domestic partner benefits

"The state of Michigan made a promise to our employees that their families could get health insurance, and today House Democrats blocked a crass attempt by the Republicans to revoke that promise," Irwin said in a statement.

Jeff Irwin

The resolution would have rejected the Michigan Civil Service Commission's decision to grant benefits to individuals who live with non-married state employees. Those on the left saw the legislation as an attack on collective bargaining and gay rights, while the GOP has framed the issue as a matter of fiscal responsibility.

House Speaker Jase Bolger, R-Marshall, issued a statement today accusing House Democrats of "turning their backs on their responsibilities to taxpayers."

"The Civil Service Commission has been incredibly irresponsible, saddling taxpayers with $11 million in additional spending at time when we are dealing with a huge deficit," Bolger said. "We have a duty as a state Legislature to stand up for taxpayers when this kind of absurd spending spree occurs, and yet, today not even a handful of Democrats were willing to do that."

Irwin pointed out Gov. Rick Snyder's budget relies on $180 million in concessions by state workers. He said revoking promised benefits would only make negotiations more difficult.

Jase Bolger

"The Republicans are trying to politicize the state work force and revoke benefits that were bargained for in good faith," Irwin said. "As we approach tough budget negotiations and employees are asked to once again make significant cuts to their wages and benefits, the Snyder administration and the House Republicans shouldn't be trampling our workers' collective bargaining rights. It sends the wrong message and won't help us move Michigan forward."

Overturning a Civil Service Commission decision requires a two-thirds vote of the state House, or 74 votes. Bolger pointed out 63 House Republicans voted to overturn the decision but House Democrats failed to provide the 11 votes needed for bipartisan support.

Ari Adler, press secretary for Bolger, wrote in an e-mail to AnnArbor.com prior to today's vote that a House roll call vote was being taken "so people can have a record of whether the Democrats stood up for taxpayers and the state Constitution or not."

State Rep. David Rutledge, D-Superior Township, joined Irwin in voting against the resolution. Reps. Mark Ouimet, R-Scio Township, and Rick Olson, R-York Township, voted for the resolution.

Olson issued a statement saying he was appalled that House Democrats voted to extend insurance benefits to boyfriends and girlfriends of state employees.

"This Civil Service Commission has been abusing the public trust, taxpayer money and their authority for several months now," Olson said. "It seems House Democrats have decided to join them in spending Michigan taxpayer money about as responsibly as a group of young children would spend their allowance."

Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's e-mail newsletters.