Springer files bill against health care benefits to domestic partners
One Texas lawmaker has a local school district in his crosshairs over their policy on health care benefits.
State Representative Drew Springer has filed a bill which targets the Pflugerville ISD, which currently offers health care benefits to domestic partners.
“Their policy takes tax dollars away from the kids and uses it on a social agenda,” Springer told KTRH.
His bill would cut off health care funding to the district. Chuck Smith of Equality Texas says Springer should do his homework on this one.
“No tax dollars are used. The premiums are paid by the employee. There is no diversion of funds,” Smith said.
Springer says school is no place for a social agenda.
“The state defines marriage as between a man and a woman. They are trying to redefine this through a back avenue. We believe it’s unconstitutional,” Springer explained.
But Smith says Springer’s proposed bill is just wrong on many levels.
“It’s a bad bill. If it were to pass it is likely it would be litigated and they would probably lose because it’s getting in an area that is the domain of elected school trustees,” Smith said.
Other school districts in Dallas, Austin and El Paso provide health benefits to same sex couples but Springer's bill does not go after those districts, only the one in Pflugerville.
