Phoenix, Ariz. — The state of Arizona went to court on Monday in an attempt to stop providing health benefits to state employees' domestic partners.

Arizona's domestic partner benefits were created in 2008, when then Gov. Janet Napolitano issued an administrative order changing the definition of "dependent," according to the Arizona Daily Sun.

Since then, Napolitano has left and the Republican-controlled legislature has created new budget rules that exclude gay and lesbian partners from coverage.

The Arizona Daily Sun said that 800 state employees have been getting domestic partner benefits, at a cost of between $4 and $5.5 million per year.