NEW YORK, NY January 04, 2006 —The state's highest court today hears arguments in a case pitting Mayor Bloomberg against the City Council. At issue is a local law requiring city contractors to offer health benefits to domestic partners. WNYC's Fred Mogul has more.

The Council passed the Equal Benefits Law in 2004, over the mayor's veto. The law bans the city from working with major contractors who offer health benefits to married couples but not to domestic partners, including same-sex couples.

The mayor argued that such a law would keep the city from getting the lowest possible bid, and the Law Department said the ordinance violated state and federal laws. A lower court sided with the council, while an intermediate appellate court sided with the mayor.

Lawyers for the council are trying to persuade the Court of Appeals the mayor should not be allowed to disregard statutes he believes are invalid. A decision is expected later this year. For WNYC, I'm Fred Mogul.