Efforts for domestic partner benefits continue at budget’s final stages

Oct. 12, 2007

To the disappointment of the University of Wisconsin-Madison administration, a provision for domestic partner benefits was not included in Gov. Jim Doyle’s budget compromise bill. The item was not included because it was deemed a nonfiscal policy item.

While the benefits provision remains in the Senate version of the budget, the Assembly has yet to come to any level of compromise on this issue.

If the governor’s new bill passes the Legislature on Monday (Oct. 15), it is possible benefits could be amended into the bill. However, the more likely scenario would be that the provision would not be included in the final agreement.

If the budget does not pass on Monday, the provision remains alive in the Senate version of the budget and UW-Madison will continue to work with leaders of the Assembly to push for a compromise.

If all efforts to include domestic partner benefits into the budget are not successful, efforts will continue to ensure a separate piece of legislation is introduced.

“This will always be an important issue for UW-Madison, and all legislative efforts to secure these benefits will continue,” says Laurie Beth Clark, vice provost for faculty and staff programs.

Back