gay-marriage.jpg
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.
More Local News
Top Stories

  • Heartstopping
    Daredevils post breathtaking pictures atop Seattle landmarks

  • Snowy Passes
    Escape cold Seattle; go skiing at Crystal Mountain

  • Dirty Wars
    Director Jeremy Scahill says Obama hasn't been fighting a clean war
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (105)


  • Add A Comment

  • sambra27 wrote...
    Some thoughts on the responses to this (feedback and discussion is appreciated)
    December 4, 2012 1:05 pm

    First, nobody is going to be swooned toward being gay with the thought that they will get an extra 90 dollars per month. You might as well panhandle in your spare time, you would probably make more than that.

    Second, where does it say that tax rates are going up as a result? Couldn't this be an allocation of tax money currently collected by the State?

    Next, has anyone bothered to do the math to see how much your taxes would go up as a result of this? I'll use the October 2012 WA jobs report as an example: there were 2,894,600 nonfarm employees in the state, which means if taxes were raised for the sole purpose of paying for this "allowance", it would cost each working person (and assumed taxpayer), a whopping nickel every year. Kick 'em while their down!

    You mean to tell me that if every persons taxes were raised one dollar per year, the city could raise $2,894,600 for alzheimers or cancer research? I guess I'll have to stop tipping my barista a penny for every ******* latte that I get!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sambra27 wrote...
    also
    December 4, 2012 1:12 pm
    I'm not saying that it is wrong to be upset about having your tax money be used to pay for things you don't agree with or don't want, but welcome to the club!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Sean wrote...
    Sambra,
    December 4, 2012 1:20 pm
    you couldn't have missed the point any more than you have. Wow.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sambra27 wrote...
    Sean
    December 4, 2012 2:02 pm
    I think there are variable interpretations of exactly what the point is here. First on here was equal rights vs special rights: people indicating that gays are receiving special rights here. Understood. The response I made before is about the tax involved in paying for it. That is the first factual point made in the article, and people's responses seem to be against the tax.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • The Dude Abides wrote...
    HERE HERE!
    December 4, 2012 2:45 pm
    Well put Sambra!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    Is there any doubt remaining that we are in a replay of the Weimar Republic?
    December 4, 2012 1:32 pm
    The parallels are shocking,. Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • gaymarriedchristianfromhollywood wrote...
    How so?
    December 4, 2012 1:56 pm
    Geez, at least make an effort to make a point.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    The point was made Nancyboy
    December 4, 2012 2:07 pm
    The comment was directed at those who at least have a fundamental knowledge of history. It was not directed at willfully ignorant sodomites, such as yourself.

    What? You want me to provide you a list of the parallels to the Weimar Republic? Yea sure, I'll get right on it Nancy. Anything else I can do for you?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Keitho wrote...
    ONCE AGAIN
    December 4, 2012 1:53 pm
    This proves my point. Married couples are treated differently than single people or now to be married gay people for a reason. The state/goverments interest in marriage at all is CHILDREN!! These "breaks" are supposed to help promote the creation of a family. It is not to punish or discriminate against those with other relationships or no relationship at all. If people were not so self centered and obsessed with "fairness" these days, this would be obvious.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Keitho wrote...
    Seattle sucks!
    December 4, 2012 1:58 pm
    Double entendre intended. I too avoid Seattle like the plague. The city does not want shoppers or visitors unless you ride a bike or the bus. They have crazy stuff like this going on all the time. Its a sanctuary city and is a homeless magnet. On a whim, I stopped in at Nortgate on my way through last week. Gone for 30 minutes and I come back to find my car broken into and contents stolen. Lovely town. Could not pay me enough to live among those loons.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • DesertRez wrote...
    I can't wait
    December 4, 2012 2:04 pm
    for two brothers to try to get married. Think it won't happen?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HLC wrote...
    sambra27?
    December 4, 2012 2:11 pm
    How can you possibly compare the self induced disease of homosexuality to alzheimers and cancer? One is by choice and the other two I doubt anyone chooses to have. Sort of like compareing being black to being a homo, which seems to be done by the homos quite often. One is by choice, one not.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sambra27 wrote...
    HLC
    December 4, 2012 2:26 pm
    Let's not get into that, my mom has alzheimers. Not meant in any way to make a comparison between alz or cancer and homosexuality and quite frankly I don't see how you interpreted it that way. Just saying I would support my taxes being raised to provide money for cancer and alz research considering that raising taxes by such a negligible margin can create a surprisingly large amount of revenue for something.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • murr wrote...
    This is whats is all about, right here
    December 4, 2012 2:40 pm
    The need to be special, and money, not one thing else. Not a suprise here, just getting started. They need the help.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    gaymarriedchristianfromhollywood
    December 4, 2012 2:52 pm
    NO! This is all about your mindless love for a regime who will take from the producers and give to the non producers. Those of you who are conditioned to think that you somehow had an entitlement upbringing. This regime is looking for people like you. And, obviously, you it.

    I am of the opinion of teach a man to fish and he eats for life. You are of the type who thinks that very same man should be dependent upon the government for a daily feeding at the expense of others.

    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.

    That is all you, gaymarriedchristianfromhollywood! Rather you will admit it or even realize it.

    Those of you who did what you were brainwashed to do and re immaced your Dear Leader are taught to hate Republicans and Conservatives and anyone who disagrees with your indoctrinated ideas and way of life and the spoken words of your Dear Leader. You are taught to believe that we Americans are your enemy. The sheer hatred, the pure racism and bigotry that emanate daily from you Parrots are proof positive that I am correct about you people and what you are brainwashed, daily, to think and say.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • The Dude Abides wrote...
    haha you crack me up
    December 4, 2012 3:37 pm
    If we are as full of hate as you seem to think we are, I would ask you this: who do you think taught us this level of hatred? Oh, that's right, white Republican Christians! Your marjority are a bunch of spoiled, spoon-fed whiners who wouldn't know true hard work if it walked up and slapped them in the face. They have always been opposed to progress in society, and fought tooth and nail to keep other groups under their boot. First it was skin color, then it was gender, now it's sexual orientation. You wonder why you've lost another election, it's because you've alienated 2/3 of the population. The only response that seems to work on you people is an equal amount of hatred spewed back at you...and of course you jump on us for it because you know you're fighting a losing battle, and all you can do is shout "woe is me" at the top of your lungs. You've taught us to hate, and now we're hating the original haters. Good job!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • dori monson fan wrote...
    this is the camel's nose under the tent folks.
    December 4, 2012 3:15 pm
    the next step will be for straight washington taxpayers to pay a fee to gay married couples in our state to compensate them for their inability to file jointly on their federal tax return, as per DOMA law. that will be another $3000-$4000 annually we'll be handing over to them. the irony here is that gay couples on average make more than straight couples. so this is a tax on lower income people to pay gays, with higher incomes, even more.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • BeenThere wrote...
    Two gay couples get married. One couple works for the City, one couple does not. One couple pays taxes to give benefits to the City employee that they themselves can't obtain?
    December 4, 2012 3:45 pm
    Apparently, some gay couples get special treatment, some don't. That seems FAIR. Maybe the Mayor secretly redefined the definition of FAIR.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    A fair is where you go to get cotton candy!
    December 4, 2012 4:01 pm
    ...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • BeenThere wrote...
    HPD 5-0.....a fair?
    December 4, 2012 5:36 pm
    I thought it was a fling outside of marriage. Or is a fling what you do with a Frisbee? What if ya throw a Frisbee to someone who's not your spouse, are ya cheatin'?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }