Economist Testifies in Prop 8 Federal Case

SAN FRANCISCO Chief City Economist Edmund Egan testified in Federal Court Thursday that businesses would benefit if the gay marriage ban was struck down because married people accumulate more wealth and have more to spend on property and consumer goods.

Egan is testifying in the lawsuit challenging Proposition 8, a ballot measure approved by voters in 2008.

Egan says the city also has to spend more on health care for uninsured workers because same-sex couples are not always covered under their partner's employee health care plans.