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The long-running attempt by some of Alaska's legislators to deny court-ordered benefits to the same-sex partners of several dozen state employees hit a roadblock Monday when the House declined to authorize a constitutional amendment to block the benefits.

The push for a constitutional amendment blocking same-sex benefits hit a roadblock Monday when a resolution proposing the amendment failed to pass the House.

Rep. John Coghill, a Republican from North Pole and sponsor of the proposal, said he was disappointed by the vote but not surprised.

The House voted 22-14 in favor of the resolution, with four members excused; 27 votes -- representing two thirds of House members -- were needed for approval.

Coghill requested the House be allowed to vote again at a later date, and said after the floor session that he might be able to get two House members to change their minds.

But Coghill acknowledged he needed more than two extra votes.

"I don?t know if I can get it back," he said.

An AP story from Anchorage Daily News (free registration required) offers this summary of the long and expensive attempt spearheaded by Coghill to deny the benefits.

The court fight over the benefits has gone on for years. It ended when the state Supreme Court in October 2005 ordered the state to provide benefits to partners of gay employees. The court found that denying the benefits to same-sex domestic partners violated the state constitution's guarantee of equal protection.

Further political and legal wrangling postponed the benefits until the state's high court this winter told the state it was tired of the delays and ordered it to provide the benefits as of Jan. 1.

During the open enrollment period, 67 state employees signed up their partners for benefits, according to the state Department of Administration. Based on the average claim costs in 2006, the 67 new enrollees could cost the state about $350,000 a year.

In an April 3 advisory vote, 53 percent of Alaska voters said lawmakers should send the proposed constitutional amendment to the November 2008 ballot. However, that vote -- which cost the state about $775,000 -- had no binding authority.

A Senate resolution that also would have to pass along with Coghill's House measure hasn't yet made it out of committee. The Legislature adjourns May 16.

Labels: Alaska, equal rights