Cities and counties that offer same-sex partner health benefits don't anticipate altering their policies after the Texas attorney general called the practice unconstitutional.
However, AG Greg Abbott's opinion filed this week does serve as fuel for litigation against entities providing benefits to gay couples.
The opinion, while not binding, is the latest of several challenges to same-sex benefits across the country that have so far had mixed results in the courts and prompted changes after officials in other states took action.
In Texas, local governments from El Paso to San Antonio and north to Dallas County have their legal departments reviewing their benefits plans but don't appear ready to budge yet. They note that their policies don't address issues such as marriage or gender.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.