Toledo mayor vetoes benefits plan over single provision

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Toledo’s mayor has vetoed a measure that would offer benefits to city employees’ domestic partners, saying he supports the idea but disagrees with one provision included in it.

City council on Tuesday had approved extending health care and other benefits for workers’ unmarried partners, regardless of whether they’re same-sex couples. Mayor Mike Bell vetoed it Wednesday.

He says he believes council didn’t have the authority to include a provision that allows a firefighters’ union to reopen health-care contract negotiations with the city.

Bell says he’ll reintroduce legislation to provide domestic partner benefits later this month.

Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland are among the other Ohio cities that offer benefits for workers’ domestic partners.