March 22nd, 2008
Although marriage equality, civil unions, and full domestic partnerships have been blocked from consideration by the Maryland Senate, three bills that would offer some protections for gay couples have been allowed out of committee.
Medical Decisions: would allow domestic partners to make medical and funeral decisions for each other, share a nursing home room and visit at their hospital bedsides.
This bill has received preliminary approval. Thank you.
Joint House Ownership: allow domestic partners to avoid paying recordation and transfer taxes when adding each other to home deeds.
This bill has received preliminary approval. However, it was first amended to remove commercial property.
But not everyone thinks that this is a good idea.
“Do you really want to encourage people to shack up and not commit to each other?” Sen. Alex X. Mooney, a Frederick County Republican, asked his colleagues. “This whole bill is a loophole.”
No, Senator Mooney, we WANT people to commit. That’s why we support marriage for gay couples – rather than oppose it like you do. Comments like this make you seem like a blithering idiot.
Inheritance: exempt domestic partners from inheritance taxes.
This one isn’t likely to pass.
The reason?
Sen. Ulysses Currie, chairman of the Budget and Taxation Committee and a Prince George’s County Democrat, said the inheritance tax would be a harder sell because it affects the state’s budget, which has been strained by deficits and a waning economy.
OK. Let me understand this, Senator Currie.
The reason that Maryland cannot treat gay couples like straight couples is because it needs the greiving gay widows to pay for the government’s budget problems.
Really?
You can’t treat gay people equally because you want gay people to pay higher taxes?
You have got to be kidding me!
See also:
Blade Asks What Happened In Maryland
Maryland Passes Limited Rights for Gay Couples
Maryland Balances Budget by Taxing Gay Widows
Maryland Senator Muse Champions Bigotry
Maryland AG Endorses Marriage Equality
Maryland Legislator Calls Anti-Gay Bluff
Maryland Introduces Bill to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage – Are Democrats Committed to Equality?
Maryland Marriage Poll
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Zeke
March 22nd, 2008
Just think of how much the state budget would benefit if they applied this same standard to straight couples.
If the budget REALLY was the issue then they would be talking about the hundres of MILLIONS of dollars that could be saved by rescinding special financial rights for straight couples.
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