Smyrna Postpones Same-Sex Benefits Vote Until Next Year

The Smyrna City Council has decided to wait an additional two months to rule on a proposal to grant same-sex spouses of City of Smyrna employees the same benefits and privileges as different-sex spouses.

The measure was tabled during the council’s Oct. 27 meeting by a 4-3 vote, with council members Wade Lnenicka, Susan Wilkinson, and Teri Anulewicz voting against postponement. The matter will not be discussed again until Jan. 5, 2015.

Should the measure pass in January, couples who were legally married in states which recognize same-sex marriages would be granted health insurance coverage and bereavement privileges that heterosexual couples now have. Same-sex couples are already given retirement benefits due to federal regulations.

In order to receive the benefits, same-sex couples would need to be jointly responsible for living expenses, live at the same address, and plan to stay together indefinitely.

Back in July, council members Teri Anulewicz, Andrea Blustein, and Wade Lnenicka all voiced support of the proposal to the Marietta Daily Journal, while Councilman Charles Welch said he would vote against the measure.

Welch said he would vote against the proposal due to fears it would be taken advantage of by heterosexual people living together as roommates who wish to gain Smyrna city employee benefits fraudulently. Welch added that he was morally opposed to same-sex partnerships, adding to his decision to vote no.

If the policy is adopted, the City of Smyrna would be the first governmental body in Cobb County to offer spousal benefits to same-sex couples.

Do you support the extension of benefits such as health insurance and bereavement leave to same-sex couples? Tell us in the comments!