Arizona asks SCOTUS to rule on revoking same-sex partner benefits
Arizona is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn lower courts' rulings that the state can't take away state workers' same-sex domestic partner benefits. From Phoenix, KJZZ's Steve Goldstein has more.
STEVE GOLDSTEIN: Lawyers for the state filed the appeal on behalf of Governor Jan Brewer's administration after the 9th circuit court of appeals ruled against the state. At issue is part of the state budget law that revoked domestic partner benefits granted to couples in 2008 during the administration of Governor Brewer's predecessor, Janet Napolitano. A federal judge ruled the state could revoke the benefits to opposite-sex couples, because they could legally marry in Arizona. But he overturned the revocation for same-sex couples, because they can't marry in Arizona. Governor Brewer said she's taking action for fiscal, not anti-gay, reasons.
JAN BREWER: It wasn't just against a certain segment of domestic partners, we took it away from all domestic partners.
GOLDSTEIN: The plaintiffs who argue taking away partner benefits will be financially harmful have until August 6 to respond to Brewer's court challenge.
