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Starting Jan. 1, gay and lesbian city employees who get married will receive a monthly allowance of $90, or approximately $1,080 over a 12-month period. The money will help cover healthcare expenses for their spouse. (AP Photo)

City of Seattle to give monthly 'allowance' to gay employees who wed

BY Brandi Kruse  on December 4, 2012 @ 9:48 am (Updated: 1:14 pm - 12/4/12 )

On Wednesday, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn and members of the city council will announce a new benefit for gay and lesbian city employees who get married under the state's marriage equality law, according to multiple sources who work for the city.

The benefit to gay couples will cost taxpayers an estimated $162,000 a year. Sources say the expense has been worked into the city's 2013-2014 budget.

Starting Jan. 1, gay and lesbian city employees who get married will receive a monthly allowance of $90, or approximately $1,080 over a 12-month period. The money will help cover healthcare expenses for their spouse.

While the city already offers health coverage to employees in same-sex unions, the stipend is designed to offset federal taxes that those couples must pay due to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Opposite-sex couples are not subject to federal income and payroll taxes on the value of their health coverage.

The coverage for same-sex couples is taxed at an average rate of 15 percent.

"The city wants to mitigate at least part of that by providing employees in same-sex marriages an allowance to help offset some of the extra taxes they pay the federal government," one source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment on the changes, told KIRO Radio.

During an unrelated press conference Tuesday, Mayor McGinn was asked about the benefit and whether the city would be criticized for giving same-sex couples "special treatment."

"Of course, of course I would be criticized," he said. "But at the same time, if the federal government has an unjust law I don't think it is fair to punish our workers who are following all the rules."

Currently, there are 150 city employees who have a same-sex spouse enrolled in a city-provided health plan. However, the stipend would only be given to those who marry once Washington's marriage equality bill takes effect.

According to the source, the specific numbers are preliminary and could change before the end of the year.

The source said figuring out how to implement the allowance was "incredibly complicated" and an "Interdepartmental Workgroup" continues to sort out details.

Brandi Kruse, KIRO Radio Reporter
Brandi Kruse is a reporter for KIRO Radio who is as spontaneous and adventurous in her free time as she is on the job. Brandi arrived at KIRO Radio in March 2011 and has already collected three regional Edward R. Murrow awards for her reporting.
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Comments (105)


  • Add A Comment

  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    This act just opened the flood gates!
    December 4, 2012 11:22 am
    More taxes to pay for special rights and privileges for Homosexual unions and any other whinny minority groups who look to Liberals for what they can get!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • irony wrote...
    boycott seattle
    December 4, 2012 11:35 am
    favoritism for gay couples in seattle using tax payer dollars from struggling families.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • irony wrote...
    what's next ...
    December 4, 2012 11:37 am
    tax payer money going to muslim clerics to bring about economic fairness.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • monkeyal wrote...
    Married couples have the option
    December 4, 2012 11:46 am
    of filing jointly or separately. Tax free benefits are the result of Employment Retirement Income Security Act (? exact name) otherwise known as E.R.I.S.A. wich greatly discriminates against self employed. We will find out who 'works' for Seattle just to get all the free benefits.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    Boy this crow tastes bad.
    December 4, 2012 12:00 pm
    But I've got to eat it. I supported gay marriage thinking that all they wanted was to be treated like everyone else. I was wrong. Tastes like chicken. Pass the ranch dressing please.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • gaymarriedchristianfromhollywood wrote...
    They do. Ultimately that is all they want.
    December 4, 2012 12:26 pm
    A city has a duty to see that all of its citizens are treated fairly. They should not have to pay more in taxes than a same sex married should. For all the stink it's going to start I wouldn't have done it, but I understand why they did it.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    A city has a duty to see that all of its citizens are treated fairly
    December 4, 2012 12:31 pm
    No it doesn't. You want "fair" ride the bus...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • gaymarriedchristianfromhollywood wrote...
    It's in the City's Comprehensive Plan.
    December 4, 2012 12:39 pm
    Maybe you should read it sometime before you shoot your mouth off. The city's core values - community, economic opportunity, social equity and environmental stewardship.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    As a result of this action,
    December 4, 2012 12:00 pm
    How many more retired couples will have to choose between lights or heat? To pay for heart meds or pay for gas for their cars? All the time these leeches are getting their money?

    You who support this are disgusting! Hiding behind this!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • gaymarriedchristianfromhollywood wrote...
    I've read your other posts.
    December 4, 2012 12:43 pm
    You could give a crap about the poor or those in need. This is about your hate for those who are different than you. Hate in your heart will consume you too.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Gaymarriedchristian idiot
    December 4, 2012 6:37 pm
    You are the epitome of the intolerant zealot that you accuse anyone with a different opinion of. You are a PATHETIC JOKE of a human being. It must really suck to be so shallow. Good luck with your little insignificant life.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • capixy wrote...
    Welcome to WA State...
    December 4, 2012 12:09 pm
    ...where our motto is "F*** the Feds, and Dam* the Taxpayers!"
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Wild Bill wrote...
    A GOOD ACT
    December 4, 2012 12:17 pm
    by a Mayor and a Council enforcing equality. This is a civil rights issue. I'm proud to be born and raised in Seattle.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    I'll say it again,
    December 4, 2012 12:36 pm
    This is NOT about equality. It's about a benefit that only a certain minority will get. It's about liberal hypocrisy; most, if not all Seattle gays are liberals. Liberals LOVE taxes. So...pay them and stop demanding to be treated "the same" while winking and accepting the opposite.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sweetpea123 wrote...
    Another protected class?
    December 4, 2012 12:58 pm
    The gay community wanted to be treated like everyone else and NOW the City of Seattle has decided to reward them for being the same as everyone else? This is absolutely ridiculous! When will the good people of this region wake up and stop allowing the feckless leadership that makes these ignorant decisions to ruin their lives?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Sean wrote...
    "Allowing" them???
    December 4, 2012 1:19 pm
    Good lord, stop ELECTING them.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • southi5 wrote...
    Sean
    December 4, 2012 2:48 pm
    Amen brother!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }