[This article was written by Helen Raizen
<hraizen@chpc.org> and is being posted by Gordon Linoff,
since Helen could not get it`60 posted and we both
wanted you all to have the news in a timely fashion.]

I am pleased to announce that the original "Family
Protection Act" passed the Boston City Council by a vote
of 7 to 5 yesterday.  This bill extends benefits to
Boston city employees in domestic partnerships or in
extended families.  It also extends some rights to all
such families in the city of Boston, particularly in
hospital and prison visitation.  It includes
registration of domestic partnerships and extended
families and the registration part includes registration
of dependents.

Now for the bad news.  Of course, no one can know what
Mayor Flynn will do, but we expect him to veto the
ordinance.  Here's what you can do to help.  Write or
call Mayor Flynn.  If you are a city resident, that's
great, but even if you think this bill might benefit you
sometime because you end up in a Boston hospital, you
have some basis to contact him.  Letters are better, but
phone calls are fine if that is all you have time for.

        Mayor Raymond Flynn
        Boston City Hall
        Boston, MA 02201
        617-635-4500

What you should say is:

        1. Sign the bill
        2. End discrimination, it is a matter of equity
        3. Talk about all the local employers who have already done
           this: Cambridge, Children's Hospital, Lotus
        4. There are a diversity of families living in Boston,
           This bill recognizes that fact (the Latino community, in
           particular has been very interested in the extended families piece).

Cost is a big concern to the city right now and may be
an excuse that Flynn uses to veto the bill.  The Boston
Globe claimed the cost is 5 - 15 million.  This is way
too high.  The cost estimates that I got from Councillor
Scondras's office are 2 - 8 million.  The range is wide,
because there is no previous experience with extended
families.  Boston is out front of the nation in this
particular aspect.

If you want to volunteer to help get the bill signed,
you can call David Scondras's office, 635-4225.  If you
have any questions about the bill that passed, feel free
to email them to me.  On a personal note, I helped to
fashion this bill and have worked on getting it passed
over the last couple of years.  I [Helen Raizen] am
currently co-chair of the committee that works with
David on this issue.