GayPolitics reported last week, via Pam’s House Blend, that the University of Alabama-Birmingham has elected to extend benefits to same-sex partners in an effort to attract and maintain the best staff, thus becoming the first of the three major universities in Alabama to adopt this practice.  Now, an Alabama state legislator is fighting tooth and nail with UAB to knock that same-sex benefits statute off the books, according to the Opelika-Auburn News:

State Rep. DuWayne Bridges, R-Valley, called for UAB to rescind the policy change, adding he was researching ways to stop the policy if it is not voluntarily reversed.

“I intend to utilize every means available,” Bridges said on Wednesday.

…

“I think the people of Alabama have spoken clear and loud, they don’t want state money used like that,” Bridges said, citing the Alabama Sanctity of Marriage Amendment, defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

Bridges cast the issue as moral and financial, saying the change is contrary to the wishes of Alabama voters and the Legislature’s intent for taxpayer’s money.

Rep. Bridges contended that the measure to extend benefits to same-sex partners was “a waste of money.”