wants the city of Portland's employee health insurance to cover sex changes and other treatments for transgender employees.

"I think it's fair, and it's common sense," Adams said in an interview with The Oregonian.

The mayor's proposal, if approved by the

next month when it's scheduled for a vote, would override a decision by a city committee that each year looks at the health benefits the city offers through its self-insurance fund.

A majority of that committee, a board made up of union representatives and managers from city government, voted to approve the expanded benefits for transgender employees. But the rules of the committee require a consensus vote to recommend a change.

Adams estimates the new benefits would cost the city about $32,000 a year, an estimated .08 percent increase.

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