A county commissioner in Pennsylvania
who opposes giving benefits to the spouses of gay employees says pets
would follow.
While Pennsylvania does not allow gay
couples to marry, County Executive Matt Croslis for the first time
included health care benefits for the spouses of gay workers in his
2014 budget. Gay couples can marry in three neighboring states: New
York, Delaware and Maryland.
Lehigh County Commissioner Tom
Creighton on Wednesday offered an amendment to strip out the $219,000
item.
“The state has a ban on same-sex
marriage, so why should the county be offering benefits for same-sex
marriage?” Creighton is quoted by The
Morning Call as rhetorically asking. “I don't feel the
county should be looking for new ways to give away taxpayer money.”
“Next it could be giving money out to
people's pets or whatever,” he added. “No, it probably won't go
that far.
(Related: Gay
marriage bill introduced in Pennsylvania House.)