An aide to Governor Jennifer Granholm says that benefits are being removed because voters passed an amendment on November 2nd that bans gay marriage and similar unions. The contracts will be adopted on December 15. Granholm aide David Fink says that if the courts resolve the issue of same-sex benefits before the contracts take effect on October 1, 2005, then they could be reinserted. After Granholm, spoke at the Democratic National Convention, many characterized her as a rising star in the party.