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El Paso City Council has instructed city staff to include an item on next week’s agenda that would repeal the initiative passed by voters that took away benefits from gay and unmarried partners. This directive was made after the city found an additional 200 people would lose benefits on top of the 19 domestic partners who already signed up for health insurance. Last year, City Council approved the domestic partners policy, extending health benefits to domestic partners of city employees.
The El Paso Municipal Police Officers Association has taken a stand against a ballot initiative that would rescind health benefits for unmarried and gay partners of city employees. The proposed ordinance has been placed on the ballot by a local religious group. The police association is not against the ordinance for moral or religious reasons. The organization just wants to make sure retirees continue getting health insurance - something they’re concerned might not happen if the ordinance passes.