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LOCAL NEWS

A "state criminal" is any member of any of the three branches of federal or state government who sponsors, supports, decides in favor of, promulgates or enforces laws, regulations, or decrees, or sections thereof, which are blatantly unconstitutional.

Bureaucrats try end run around legislature

Lawmaker questions granting state benefits to same-sex partners
OLYMPIA (Wednesday 5-24-00)--Rep. Joyce Mulliken, R-Ephrata, today expressed concern over the decision by the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) to grant health care benefits to same-sex partners of state employees, saying appointed bureaucrats should not be changing public policy without a directive from the citizens of Washington and the people elected to represent them.
"This is a major policy shift that involves the potential use of taxpayer dollars," said Mulliken, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. "I happen to oppose this decision for a number of reasons, both as a matter of principle and fiscal policy. But above all, it was a decision made without public input by unelected political appointees who are not accountable to citizens. The members of this board are accountable only to the governor who hired them."
Mulliken said she believes the vote goes against the majority of the citizens of the state who support the sanctity of marriage.
"With no public accountability, the board has single-handedly reversed the long standing public policy regarding the recognition of marriage as a unique institution to be protected," she said. "It certainly goes against the wishes of the majority of the citizens I represent. We provide benefits to married couples because of the benefits society derives from the traditional family. It's a win-win. Supporting the homosexual lifestyle, which is morally objectionable and inherently unhealthy, comes at a cost."
Lawmakers were first made aware of the board's consideration of this issue while the Legislature was embroiled in budget negotiations during last month's special session.
An agreement was reached at that time between lawmakers of both parties and the governor that benefits should not be extended to same-sex partners. Funding for employee health care benefits was specifically limited so as not to provide for the policy change.
Within days after the Legislature adjourned, however, the governor broke the agreement and wrote a letter urging his board to offer benefits to same-sex partners.
"The Legislature clearly is on record against this action, as was the governor before he broke his agreement and reversed his position,"Mulliken said. "It concerns me greatly that the governor would authorize this unelected board to make a major public policy change against the wishes of the Legislature.
"Lawmakers are elected by the citizens to make these kinds of decision on their behalf. Neither the governor nor his agencies should have the right to disregard the role of the Legislature when our decisions do not conform to his political needs," she said.
Since the Legislature specifically did not provide funding in the budget for extending benefits to same-sex partners, the $3 million cost will be paid initially by increasing premiums for current state employees by $2.43 per month.
However, Mulliken said the taxpayers eventually may be obligated to pick up the added cost. The board's decision leaves open the possibility that health care benefits will be extended to all domestic partners for all state and school employees--a policy change that could cost as much as $39 million each biennium.
"There is potentially a significant financial cost to taxpayers from this decision," she said.

A "state criminal" is any member of any of the three branches of federal or state government who sponsors, supports, decides in favor of, promulgates or enforces laws, regulations, or decrees, or sections thereof, which are blatantly unconstitutional.

Bureaucrats try end run around legislature Lawmaker questions granting state benefits to same-sex partners OLYMPIA (Wednesday 5-24-00)--Rep. Joyce Mulliken, R-Ephrata, today expressed concern over the decision by the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) to grant health care benefits to same-sex partners of state employees, saying appointed bureaucrats should not be changing public policy without a directive from the citizens of Washington and the people elected to represent them. "This is a major policy shift that involves the potential use of taxpayer dollars," said Mulliken, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. "I happen to oppose this decision for a number of reasons, both as a matter of principle and fiscal policy. But above all, it was a decision made without public input by unelected political appointees who are not accountable to citizens. The members of this board are accountable only to the governor who hired them." Mulliken said she believes the vote goes against the majority of the citizens of the state who support the sanctity of marriage. "With no public accountability, the board has single-handedly reversed the long standing public policy regarding the recognition of marriage as a unique institution to be protected," she said. "It certainly goes against the wishes of the majority of the citizens I represent. We provide benefits to married couples because of the benefits society derives from the traditional family. It's a win-win. Supporting the homosexual lifestyle, which is morally objectionable and inherently unhealthy, comes at a cost." Lawmakers were first made aware of the board's consideration of this issue while the Legislature was embroiled in budget negotiations during last month's special session. An agreement was reached at that time between lawmakers of both parties and the governor that benefits should not be extended to same-sex partners. Funding for employee health care benefits was specifically limited so as not to provide for the policy change. Within days after the Legislature adjourned, however, the governor broke the agreement and wrote a letter urging his board to offer benefits to same-sex partners. "The Legislature clearly is on record against this action, as was the governor before he broke his agreement and reversed his position,"Mulliken said. "It concerns me greatly that the governor would authorize this unelected board to make a major public policy change against the wishes of the Legislature. "Lawmakers are elected by the citizens to make these kinds of decision on their behalf. Neither the governor nor his agencies should have the right to disregard the role of the Legislature when our decisions do not conform to his political needs," she said. Since the Legislature specifically did not provide funding in the budget for extending benefits to same-sex partners, the $3 million cost will be paid initially by increasing premiums for current state employees by $2.43 per month. However, Mulliken said the taxpayers eventually may be obligated to pick up the added cost. The board's decision leaves open the possibility that health care benefits will be extended to all domestic partners for all state and school employees--a policy change that could cost as much as $39 million each biennium. "There is potentially a significant financial cost to taxpayers from this decision," she said.