GLAA follows up on fiscal impact
of marriages and domestic partnerships
Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington, D.C.P.O. Box 75265
Washington, D.C. 20013
July 15, 2004
The Honorable Kathy Patterson
Council of the District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20004
Dear Councilmember Patterson:
On June 10, I wrote to you in response to your inquiry on studies showing the fiscal impact of domestic partner legislation and same-sex marriage.
The three studies that I found showed positive fiscal impacts in New Jersey, Vermont and California. The downside to the studies was that they have a common lead researcher, Lee Badgett, and despite her tremendous history as a researcher, they could not be considered independently corroborated.
However, on June 21 the Congressional Budget Office issued a letter finding that recognition of same-sex marriages in the U.S. would result in just under a $1 billion annual increase in revenue. That letter is on the internet at http://www.cbo.gov/showdoc.cfm?index=5559&sequence=0.
Lee Badgett has applied her analysis to businesses and a report issued on June 22 found little to no fiscal impact if same-sex marriages are recognized. This report is at http://www.hrc.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Work_Life/Get_Informed2/Marriage_and_ Your_Workplace/busimpact.pdf
We hope that as future legislation is considered by the Council that the budget impact statements will show these benefits.
Sincerely,
Bob Summersgill
Treasurer
Cc: All D.C. Councilmembers
Mayor Anthony Williams
