From: David_Ramseur@gov.state.ak.us Subject: Re: Governor Signs Discrimination into Law Date: 30 Apr 96 19:44:52 GMT For purposes of full disclosure, we think you should have access to the complete text of the governor's statement upon signing HB226, which is attached: For Immediate Release: April 29, 1996 KNOWLES SIGNS RETIREMENT AND HEALTH BENEFITS BILL Governor Tony Knowles today issued the following statement upon signing HB 226: "After careful consideration I have chosen to sign into law SCS CSHB 226(JUD), an act permitting the provision of different retirement and health benefits to certain employees by differentiating between benefits provided to employees with spouses or children and to other employees. "In reaching this decision I considered two principal concerns: (1) the apparent prejudicial targeting of this bill toward one segment of the community, namely, couples who are not married as a matter of choice or law, and (2) the propriety of state government dictating to employers, both public and private, what health care benefits they must extend to employees. "In fact, this bill merely reaffirms current, long-standing practice in Alaska with respect to health care coverage. It makes it clear the Alaska Human Rights Act permits an employer to provide greater health insurance coverage to employees who have a spouse or dependent children than is provided to other employees. This is the existing benefit policy of state government and many other public and private employers in Alaska. "In light of prevailing practices, it is difficult to conclude this bill unfairly targets or diminishes the standing of any one group, which is a notion I find offensive and will not tolerate. Indeed, the opportunity to provide health coverage to all domestic partners remains an option for any employer. "The important issue not addressed by this legislation is the many Alaskans, including thousands of children, who are without health insurance coverage. Unfortunately, there is no action which can be taken on this bill to improve their circumstances." ## ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Governor Signs Discrimination into Law Author: ffmat@aurora.alaska.edu (Mark Tumeo) at CC2MHS1 Date: 4/30/96 10:59 AM As you may or may not know, last night (Monday) Governor Knowles signed into Law HB-226 - thereby gutting the Human Right's Act and allowing discrimination based on marital status. In doing so, he used one of the oldest "circular logic" arguments in the world - that the action only legalizises existing discirimiantion. In his letter signing the bill the Governor states: "In fact, this bill merely reaffirms current, long-standing practice in Alaska with respect to health care coverage." Unfortunately, the radical right won this one - and the Governor gave it to them. It is very disappointing that a Governor who talks of the "Alaskan Family" has determined that not all of the "family" is equal - and that the "status quo" of discrimination is reason enough to support continued discrimination. Write, call, FAX and send POMs to the Governor and let him know you're disappointed and angry by his signing HB-226. He is not protecting private business because the law suit didn't affect private businessess - all HB-226 does is promote discrimination and hurt non-traditional families. He needs to know that those who have supported him in the past are upset !!! When you tell him how disappointed and angry you are about his failure to protect our rights - tell him he can still act responsibly by signing an Executive order requiring all STATE agencies to provide domestic partenrship benefits. In this way he can truely demonstrate his desire to NOT DISCRIMINATE. Please act now so that the Governor will not repeat this type of discrimination in the future !! The Governor's Information is: The Honorable Tony Knowles Governor, State of Alaska P.O. Box 1100011 Juneau, Alaska 99811 FAX: 907-465-3532 Phone: 907-465-3500 E-Mail: Office_of_the_Governor@gov.state.ak.us The fight for Civil Rights for Gays and Lesbians will be a long and hard one. We lost this round, but the war rages. We will continue to fight - we will no longer hang our heads, accept defeat, sit down, shut up. We will be loud and proud - and the Governor will have to realize we are here and WILL be treated fairly. ** Mark Tumeo ** ****************************************************************************** * To subscribe to QUEERLAW, send mail to: majordomo@abacus.oxy.edu * * In the mail message, enter ONLY the words: subscribe queerlaw * * To unsubscribe to QUEERLAW, send mail to: majordomo@abacus.oxy.edu * * In the mail message, enter ONLY the words: unsubscribe queerlaw * * Words in the Subject: line are NOT processed! * ******************************************************************************