Another Step Backwards in Michigan
Our state will remain at the end of the line until we attract and retain the best and brightest young people
The key to unlocking a more prosperous future for Michigan is retaining and attracting the most talented, educated young people from all walks of life to live and work in our state. Last week’s decision by the Michigan Senate to overturn a ruling of the Michigan Civil Service Commission and deny benefits to live-in partners perpetuates discrimination against Michigan’s gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender community and takes the state a step in the wrong direction.
Diversity and inclusion are more important than ever to succeed in today’s economy. Our state is experiencing a critical transition, moving from a factory-based economy to a knowledge-based economy. Live-in partner benefits, which were scheduled to begin Oct. 1 for some state employees in Michigan, are offered in ten states, by many local governments and at more than 700 major corporations — including a majority of the Fortune 500. This decision of Michigan’s Legislature decreases the quality of benefits offered to public employees when other states are moving to improve them.
Worse, it signals to talented gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender individuals around the nation and the world that Michigan is “closed for business” to them. Given a chance to play a role in building the economy in an open-minded state committed to equality for all, or in a state such as Michigan, which are they more likely to choose?
The agreement to offer health benefits to unrelated adults living in the same household was approved by the Commission in January. This was an agreement negotiated under the previous administration. The Michigan Senate was urged by Governor Rick Snyder to vote against the benefits. A similar resolution to strike down the Commission’s decision is pending in the Michigan House of Representatives.
Gov. Snyder’s white paper on retaining youth, posted on his website during his 2010 campaign said:
Rick believes we need to create networks, programs, and environments across Michigan that will cause our young people to want to stay in this state. His experience has given him an understanding of how Michigan can retain and attract young talent.
We are looking to the Governor and Michigan lawmakers to unite Michigan residents and create a more inclusive state. Decisions like this only divide and prevent the state from becoming an environment where youth want to remain.
March 16, 2011 at 7:29 pm
I agree. We cannot build policy on fear and anger and keep creative and talented people in Michigan. We have a very diverse population which could be very beneficial if we embraced that diversity rather than creating divisions. Synergy is a powerful experience.