NC city awaits ruling on amendment

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) - Winston-Salem city officials say they'll wait for a court ruling on the state's new constitutional amendment defining marriage before giving any further consideration to offering domestic partner benefits.

The Winston-Salem Journal reported that city officials say the amendment throws into question their authority to offer those benefits. The amendment passed last week and defines marriage solely as a union between a man and a woman.

City attorney Angela Carmon said the city should wait for a court ruling before deciding whether to extend domestic partner benefits to city employees.

For the past year, Winston-Salem officials have considered offering the benefits as part of a larger discussion about how to lower health insurance costs.