Businesses Are Waking Up to the Consequences of the Amendment
Last week the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce voted to oppose the Marshall/Newman amendment and to join The Commonwealth Coalition. Chief among the business reasons identified for opposing the amendment were its potential impact on private agreements between unmarried couples that "approximate" the "design, qualities, significance of effects of marriage." The Chamber branded the proposal "frivolous" because it is redundant of existing law and would impose unnecessary costs on taxpayers. Read more.
There is no doubt in my mind that opponents of equality intend to attack Virginia’s Healthcare Parity Bill. Passed narrowly in 2005, this law finally allowed all private companies in Virginia to offer health insurance coverage to members of their employee’s household. This bill is fair but will be attacked if this amendment passes.
It’s happening in Michigan:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Same-Sex-Benefits.html?ex=1152849600&en=05297734484d368f&ei=5070&emc=eta1
Will Virginia businesses stand up for their freedom to do business and oppose this amendment as too far-reaching?