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ISSUES: Economics of Same-Sex Marriage - CALIFORNIAAB 1967 | AB 205 | Williams Project Op-Eds | Related Materials |
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AB 1967 AB 1967 would prohibit the denial of marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples in California. The bill would expand on the state's domestic partner bill -- AB 205, which takes effect in 2005 -- by allowing gay couples to file joint tax returns, claim an exemption from property reassessment upon the death of a partner and travel across state lines without jeopardizing their marriage rights. As California considers whether to extend the right to marry to same-sex couples, it is important to consider the characteristics of the California families that will be directly impacted. In May 2004, the Williams Project and IGLSS released two co-authored policy studies which examine these issues. The Impact of Allowing Same-Sex Couples to Marry on California's Budget concludes that allowing same-sex couples to marry in California will result in a net gain of $22.3 to $25.2 million each year, for the State budget. According to Brad Sears, "our analysis makes it clear that providing California families with equal rights is fiscally responsible. Making same-sex partners accountable to each other not only strengthens families; it has a positive impact on the State budget." Same-Sex Couples and Same-Sex Couples Raising Children in California: Data from Census 2000 provides demographic and economic information from Census 2000 about same-sex couples and same-sex couples raising children in California.
Related Press
AB 205 and Civil Union Legislation Friday, September 19, 2003 - Today, Governor Davis signed AB 205, The Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act of 2003, at the LGBT Center in San Francisco. This historic legislation, authored by Assemblymember Jackie Goldberg (D-Los Angeles) and sponsored by EQCA, provides domestic partners with almost all of the same rights and responsibilities as spouses in a civil marriage. In May 2003, the Williams Project and IGLSS, the Institute for Gay and Lesbian Strategic Studies, released an economic analysis of the impact of AB 205 on the State budget of California. The study, Equal Rights, Fiscal Responsibility, concludes that AB 205 will have a positive net impact on California's budget of at least $8.1 to $10.6 million each year. Primarily, this is because the legislation will decrease the number of individuals eligible for means-tested state benefit programs, saving the State money. The bill would also potentially increase sales tax revenues from tourism and decrease state income tax revenues. The study finds that AB 205 would not have a significant impact on the State court system, State employee benefits, or administrative costs. The study concludes that legislating family equality is fiscally responsible for the state of California. AB 205 not only provides equal rights for same-sex couples, but also holds them to the same economic accountability as spouses in a civil marriage.
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