| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010 1:39 pm |
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Editorials 
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REFERENDUM 71 Reaffirm law for fairness The only confusion about how to vote on Referendum 71, the effort to overturn Washington’s expanded domestic partnership law, arises from the law-prescribed, non-intuitive, confusing semantics of such measures: On the ballot, creators and supporters of Referendum 71 will vote “no” to overturn the law. Opponents of the referendum will vote “yes” to keep the law on the books.Voting yes to uphold the law will keep us on track with the progress made so far to ensure a greater measure of fairness for same-sex couples and their families by adding benefits and obligations to domestic partnerships that already apply to married couples. The benefits are sensible additions to the 3-year-old law in 10 major areas, adding domestic partners to sections of the law where currently only spouses are mentioned. Legislation in 2007 enabled same-sex couples over the age of 18 and heterosexual couples with one partner aged 62 or older to register their relationship with the state as a domestic partnership. It provided them a few benefits granted to married couples under state law such as the right to visit a partner in a hospital, administer their deceased partner’s estate and inherit property from a partner. The 2008 additions to law included granting same-sex couples who register with the state certain property and guardianship rights, and placed responsibilities on them that already apply to husbands and wives. For example, before the law, domestic partners of elected officials were not required to submit financial disclosure forms, as spouses of elected officials are. Now domestic partners must submit such information. That’s good for equality and transparency. This year, the Legislature and Gov. Chris Gregoire expanded the law further with Senate Bill 5688, the specific bill targeted by the referendum. The laws makes registered same-sex domestic partners indistinguishable under state law from married couples with the exception that they cannot marry. This is key — these protections are necessary precisely because gays and lesbians cannot legally marry. The domestic partnership law helps bridge some gaps with other Washington state laws, such as the one that allows same-sex couples to adopt. Their legality as a family is now reinforced with rights that allow them to make decisions, and uphold obligations and responsibilities, that only loved ones and family members can and should make. A yes vote on Referendum 71 will keep us right where we want to be, reaffirming our commitment to ensure fairness and equality for all Washington citizens. |
- A revolutionary 747
- Fire breaks out at Everett car dealer
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries
- A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood
- Snohomish County's bargain housing won't last
- Boeing's 747-8 takes off after weather delay
- Plan for I-5 closures this week
- A new bowling alley for Monroe?
- Lake Stevens man homeless after fire
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged
- Vote on school levies by Tuesday
(11) - A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood (10)
- Everett police officers cleared in 2008 shooting death (5)
- 1949 travel aid shows how few places blacks were welcome in Washington (4)
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged (4)
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries (4)
- Three politicians who want Gregoire's job in 2012 (3)
- Toyota has powerful D.C. friends (3)
- Snohomish County's bargain housing won't last (3)
- Life story: Man fought depression courageously, family says (3)
- Edmonds educator, famous announcer dies
- Mill Creek to appeal ruling on annexation
- Through the air, with the greatest of ease
- E-W thriving under new coach
- The path to citizenship
- EUUC puts on ‘Pants & Shoes’
- Wolfpack wins the ‘Battle'
- Lynnwood’s annexation plans OK’d
- Arlington's Cascade Valley Hospital celebrates expansion, national award and 100 years of service
- Business Licences Feb. 2010
- Technology tips for launching your own business
- Business Events Feb. 2010
- Tech Talk: No excuse today for going without a Web site
- State already raising fees and rates that restrict business growth
- Some legislators again targeting people’s initiative petition rights
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