The Alaska state House on Monday denied voters the chance to decide whether the state should offer benefits to same-sex partners of state employees, the Anchorage Daily News reported.
In 2006, the Alaska Supreme Court mandated that the state provide the benefits – despite the fact that in 1998, voters overwhelmingly passed a constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
Jim Minnery, executive director of the Alaska Family Council, said the House is out of step with a majority of voters.
"The legislators who voted 'No' simply ignored the will of the majority of Alaskans who said very clearly on April 3rd that they wanted this issue to be given back to the people," Minnery told CitizenLink. "For those of us who believe the institution of marriage should receive unique privileges and recognition, it was disappointing."
He applauded the lawmakers who voted for a proposed ballot measure.
"I'm grateful to the 22 House members who did the right thing," Minnery said. "The Alaska Family Council will continue to work with legislators to address the Alaska Supreme Court's misguided ruling mandating that unmarried homosexual and lesbian partners of public employees be treated just as if they were married."
