Rep. Drew Springer Wants to Revoke Same-Sex Benefits for Public School Employees
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Rep. Drew Springer (R-Muenster) used the above graphic to promote a 2013 bill to defund school districts that offer domestic partner benefits.
Rep. Drew Springer (R-Muenster) is again trying to bar Texas school districts from offering benefits to the same-sex partners of employees.
Springer has introduced a budget amendment that would eliminate state funding for districts that violate the Texas Constitution, which prohibits recognition of same-sex partnerships.
The amendment is similar to a bill Springer authored two years ago, which cleared committee but was never considered on the floor. Under Springers budget amendment, the education commissioner, in consultation with the attorney general, would decide whether districts have violated the Constitution. Districts would have 60 days to correct the problem.
According to Equality Texas, Springers amendment is aimed at the Austin, Pflugerville and San Antonio school districts, which offer plus-one benefits that are inclusive of same-sex partners. But the group says those benefits are in line with a 2013 opinion from former Attorney General Greg Abbott, which found that such programs are only illegal if they create or recognize a status similar to marriage.
Read more: http://www.texasobserver.org/drew-springer-wants-to-revoke-same-sex-benefits-for-public-school-employees/#.VRmF4hQWC-A.twitter