Local

Kaine proposes DP benefits for state workers

Published

16 years ago

December 11, 2009

The outgoing governor of Virginia is working to extend health benefits to the same-sex partners of state employees, but questions linger over whether his successor will accept the changes.

Last week, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine (D) directed his office to start drafting the regulations that would be required for the rule change, but he has only a few weeks left in office and, according to the Washington Post, the rules won’t be ready for implementation for another 18 months. The decision on whether or not to enact the changes will be left to Republican Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell.

Kaine spokesperson Lynda Tran was quoted in the Virginian-Pilot as saying the benefits won’t bring any new costs to the state because the employee would take on any expenses associated with adding a person to the insurance rolls.

The new policy would apply not only to state workers with same-sex partners, but also employees seeking to cover other individuals in their households, including opposite-sex partners and adult children.

McDonnell’s transition team didn’t respond to DC Agenda’s request for comment. At a press conference last week, the governor-elect expressed concerns about what new costs the regulations would bring.

“My first question is, what [is] the cost to the state by expanding those policies?” McDonnell said, according to the Washington Post. “I am all for using business — public and private — to expand health-care coverage. … But what I don’t know is, what is the cost that has to be borne by the state government versus the individual new subscriber?”

Related Topics:Bob McDonnell DP benefits Tim Kaine Virginia

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Virginia

VIDEO: LGBTQ groups march in Va. inaugural parade

Abigail Spanberger took office on Saturday

Published

11 hours ago

January 17, 2026

Michael Key

Diversity Richmond and the Virginia Pride project of Diversity Richmond march in the 2026 Inauguration Parade on the grounds of the state capitol in Richmond, Va. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The inaugural ceremonies for Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger were held in Richmond, Va. on Saturday. Among the groups marching in the parade were Diversity Richmond and the Virginia Pride project of Diversity Richmond.

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*The LGBTQ contingent in the inaugural parade in Richmond, Va. pass by the review stand on Jan. 17, 2026. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)*

Virginia

Va. Senate approves referendum to repeal marriage amendment

Outgoing state Sen. Adam Ebbin introduced SJ3

Published

19 hours ago

January 17, 2026

Staff reports

(Bigstock photo)

The Virginia Senate on Friday by a 26-13 vote margin approved a resolution that seeks to repeal a state constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

Outgoing state Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) introduced SJ3. The Senate Privileges and Elections Committee on Wednesday approved it by a 10-4 vote margin.

Same-sex couples have been able to legally marry in Virginia since 2014. Outgoing Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin in 2024 signed a bill that codified marriage equality in state law.

A resolution that seeks to repeal the Marshall-Newman Amendment passed in the General Assembly in 2021. The resolution passed again in 2025.

Two successive legislatures must approve the resolution before it can go to the ballot. Democrats in the Virginia House of Delegates have said the resolution’s passage is among their 2026 legislative priorities.

“It’s time for Virginia’s Constitution to reflect the law of the land and the values of today,” said Ebbin after Friday’s vote. “This amendment, if approved by voters, would affirm the dignity of all committed couples and protects marriage equality for future generations.”

Maryland

Layoffs and confusion at Pride Center of Maryland after federal grants cut, reinstated

Trump administration move panicked addiction and mental health programs

Published

2 days ago

January 16, 2026

Baltimore Banner

Merrick Moses, a violence prevention coordinator, works at the Pride Center of Maryland in Baltimore. (Photo by Ulysses Muñoz for the Baltimore Banner)

By ALISSA ZHU | After learning it had abruptly lost $2 million in federal funding, the Pride Center of Maryland moved to lay off a dozen employees, or about a third of its workforce, the Baltimore nonprofit’s leader said Thursday.

The group is one of thousands nationwide that reportedly received letters late Tuesday from the Trump administration. Their mental health and addiction grants had been terminated, effective immediately, the letters said.

By Wednesday night, federal officials moved to reverse the funding cuts by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, estimated to total $2 billion, according to national media reports. But the Pride Center of Maryland’s CEO Cleo Manago said as of Thursday morning he had not heard anything from the federal government confirming those reports.

The rest of this article can be read on the Baltimore Banner’s website.