Starkville Mayor’s Veto Stands Despite 4-2 Vote in Favor of Overriding

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) — Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman’s veto stands.

Health insurance will be offered to all city employees and their significant others.

The four votes to overturn Wiseman’s decision weren’t enough to change the outcome.

Last week, the Starkville Board of Aldermen voted to amend the policy to only extend the plus one coverage to legally married couples.

Wiseman, as promised, vetoed that move.

The packed crowd was filled with both supporters and opponents of the original plan.

Supporters said excluding gay and lesbian partners was a form of discrimination, and that all significant others deserve quality health insurance.

Opponents, however, cited that Mississippi law doesn’t recognize same-sex partnerships, and neither should Starkville.

But those on both sides of the argument say the opinions of residents should have been taken into account.

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