Here’s what I know: In a county with 12 percent unemployment, there is absolutely no demonstrated need to increase the size and scope of Mecklenburg County’s employee benefits package. For any reason.
Now for the comedy. Poor Jennifer Roberts seems to think the policy the county adopted is limited to same-sex couples only. That was clearly her intent given Roberts’ constant “fairness” rap. But if the county tries to limit the policy, it will get sued. And spend lotsa money in the process. That the commissioners cannot even agree on what it is they approved, you tell me how settled the law might be.
As we’ve said all year, local government seems free to offer these benefits if they want to risk getting sued in the process. Because of this risk, I figure it is about #687,993 on the list of things county government should be spending its time on right now. But Roberts basically promised the policy change and had to deliver. Next up, the city of Charlotte.
Be sure to enjoy City Attorney Mac McCarley trying to square what the county just did with his previous tortured reasoning that the city did not have the authority to offer such benefits. McCarley had his legs taken out from underneath him by his buddies at the UNC School of Government, who told the county that it was free to adopt any policy it wanted. In fact, without that opinion Roberts does not move so quickly and maybe does not get six votes to approve the policy.
Special bonus ineffectiveness to Charlotte’s religious community. Guys and gals, you don’t get to pick and choose your issues — not if you are going to stand on principle. Showing up to decry this particular growth in local government and this wasteful, reckless spending is too little, too late. Or is it that you really do not believe growing government is immoral?
Whatever the case, pop some popcorn, this is going to be amusing as hell.
