Gov. Snyder asks federal judge to uphold ban on same-sex benefits

LANSING (AP) -- Gov. Rick Snyder wants a federal judge to continue Michigan's ban on domestic partner benefits for same-sex couples who work for state and local governments. A motion filed last Friday asks U.S. District Judge David Lawson to rule for the state in a lawsuit filed by five same-sex couples. Lawson issued a preliminary injunction in June prohibiting the state from enforcing Public Act 297. Lawson said the plaintiffs had a good chance of proving at trial the law violates the equal protection guarantee of the U.S. Constitution. Snyder's summary judgment motion was filed by Attorney General Bill Schuette's office on the Republican governor's behalf. MLive.com reports it reiterates the fiscal responsibility argument Lawson seemed to reject when granting the injunction. Published: Wed, Feb 19, 2014