April 24, 2007
Contact: Martin Cothran
Phone: 859-329-1919
UK’s decision to fund domestic partners “arrogant,” a slap in the face to
lawmakers, voters, and parents, says family group
LEXINGTON, KY—“Lee Todd and the University of Kentucky are kowtowing to special interest groups at the expense of taxpayers and parents and violating the state constitution,” said Martin Cothran, senior policy analyst with The Family Foundation. The group’s remarks came in response to today’s decision by the UK Board of Trustees to approve a plan to subsidize the live-in sexual partners of its staff and faculty.
“We need leaders at our state universities who are not afraid to stand up to special interest political groups,” said Cothran, “not people who are willing to throw the people who support them under the bus. Dr. Todd had an opportunity to show leadership on this issue. Instead, he surrendered to the forces of political correctness.”
Kentucky voters approved an amendment to the State Constitution in 2004 that not only recognized marriage as between a man and a woman, but included a provision that would prohibit recognition of “a legal status substantially similar to marriage.” The amendment passed with 75 percent voter approval. “Todd apparently thinks that he can ignore the state constitution and that his university apparently is above the law. This decision, which could initially cost the University $633,000 per year during a time of rising tuitions, is not only bad public policy, it is a sign of profound arrogance.”
The decision also comes on the heels of comments by both Gov. Fletcher and Robbie Rudolph, his running mate, that the issue will probably be placed on the call for the upcoming special session of the Kentucky General Assembly. “In thumbing its nose at the clear sentiment of the people of this state, the University has placed itself at odds with lawmakers, with voters, and with the parents of their students. Now they have alienated the Governor. You begin to wonder about the kind of decisions that are being made by the UK administration.”
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