Dallas County Approves Domestic Partners

A little bit of good news today out of Texas:

The Dallas County Commissioners Court voted 3-2 along party lines Tuesday to approve medical benefits for domestic partnerships. The approval provides the money for couples who aren't married, be they gay or straight. It's an issue guaranteed to divide. “There is simply no place for pernicious partisanship when it comes to equality," argued Rafael McDonnell of the Resource Center Dallas, speaking in favor of the proposed stipend for domestic partners. Others took the podium to argue against it. "This is utterly ridiculous and totally irresponsible position on your part,” said Dallas resident Debbie Morozzo. “This is a waste of taxpayers’ money."

One GOP commissioner denounced the vote, saying, "Are we going to fund obese people? Are we going to start funding smokers? Are we going to fund people who have blue Pontiacs?" (Tipped by JMG reader Bruce)