Nevada Governor to veto domestic partner benefits

Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons has announced that he will veto a bill that would give domestic partners the same benefits as are currently granted to married heterosexual couples.

Harrah's Senior Vice President Jan Jones sent a letter to Nevada lawmakers outlining her views on the legislation:

"Our state cannot afford to lose any more revenue to other destinations because of a reputation as a place which is not socially or politically the right place to do business or to vacation," Jones stated in the letter, dated Tuesday.

Gays and lesbians have the highest disposable income of any segment of the population, according to Jones.

"Our company does aggressive marketing to this community," Jones said Wednesday. "How can we say to them 'we want your business, but we don't care about your rights.'"

Nevada twice voted for a constitutional amendment in 2000 (which passed with 70% support) and again in 2002 (which passed with 66.9% support) that defined marriage as between a man and a woman. The bill makes it clear that domestic partnership is not marriage so it does not reverse those amendments.

Sen. David Parks, who sponsored the bill, says that the legislature will attempt to override Gibbons veto.

In the mean time, if you are thinking about doing some gambling, how about taking your business to Harrah's Casino?

The company openly wants everyone's business and supports equal rights for all.

That's the kind of company I respect.