Same-sex benefits OK'd despite amendment
Judge rules no conflict with voter-approved marriage definition
Posted: September 29, 20051:00 a.m. Eastern

Michigan is moving ahead on a proposal to extend health care benefits to same-sex partners of state employees after a judge ruled the plan doesn't violate a voter-approved marriage amendment.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm made the announcement Tuesday after Ingham County Judge Joyce Dragunchuk's decision, the first judicial interpretation of the 2004 amendment, which defines marriage as only between one man and one woman.

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