Court nixes a city gay benefits law Email this story Printer friendly format Breaking News Alerts Be the first to know when news happens on Long Island. Click here to subscribe. THE buttOCIATED PRESS February 15, 2006 The state's highest court, dealing a victory to Mayor Michael Bloomberg, yesterday ruled an anti-discrimination law pbutted by the City Council over the mayor's objections was invalid. The Equal Benefits Law, enacted by the council over the mayor's veto in June 2004, had required the city to do business only with contractors and property owners that agree to provide the same benefits for the domestic partners of employees as they do for the spouses of employees. Bloomberg had initially refused to enforce the law but was ordered to do so after the council sued in Supreme Court. The council argued that the mayor's refusal to carry out the law had upset the separation of powers. An appeals court overturned that ruling, saying the city statute conflicted with compebreastive bidding requirements in state law and was invalid. In a 4-3 decision, the Court of Appeals upheld the appeals court, saying state and federal laws took precedence over the city law. Writing for the majority, Judge Robert Smith dismissed the City Council's arguments over the separation of powers. While noting Bloomberg's duty to carry out enacted city laws, Smith noted the mayor also had the duty to follow existing state and federal statutes. (...) Live with it HOMOS! Just as persons don't, neither do you get special treatment simply because you are loveual perverts.
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