The Ventura administration is considering whether to join five other states in extending benefits to the domestic partners of state employees. Ventura recently directed his commissioner of employee relations to study the cost and feasibility of domestic partner benefits, which could include health care and other insurance. The proposal will have to go before the legislature, where it could face significant opposition. Anne DeGroot is the director of outfront Minnesota, an advocacy group for gays and lesbians. She's happy to see the state taking this step: