By a unanimous vote Tuesday, the City Council approved Mayor Ralph Becker's domestic-partnership registry, drawing a whoop and applause by a modest crowd at City Hall.
"It's a proud day for our city and it's a proud day for me to be a part of this important legislation," said Councilman J.T. Martin.
The move - it applies only to residents of Salt Lake City - comes one day after a bill was unleashed by Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, to kill the registry. Executives from Becker's office say SB267 also could wipe away the capital's adult-designee ordinance, which provides insurance benefits for city employees who are domestic partners.
Council members say they are in negotiations with Buttars and other state lawmakers to find some compromise. And late Tuesday, Becker, the former Democratic minority leader, pledged to go back to his old stomping grounds to stop Buttars' bill.
"I'll work it," the mayor said. "I'm not afraid to go up there."
