County Executive Falk, Mayor Cieslewicz Say Gay Marriage Amendment Could Prohibit Domestic Partner Benefits to County and City Employees

March 08, 2004
County Executive

Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk and Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz today said that amending the Wisconsin Constitution to define marriage as only between a man and a woman would potentially prevent the county and city from providing domestic partner benefits to their employees. Both Dane County and the City of Madison provide health insurance benefits to employees who have taken steps demonstrating they are in a long term committed relationship. Under the proposed state constitutional amendment, these relationships could be deemed invalid and entitled to no recognition in Wisconsin. Falk said, “This legislation would force local governments that have made the decision to treat their employees fairly to reverse that decision. It is harmful to our employees, citizens and their families.” Cieslewicz said, “"This constitutional amendment not only taints our State Constitution with the language of discrimination, but it also threatens the City of Madison's progressive domestic partnership policy." Attachments: Memo from Kristi Gullen, Dane County Assistant Corporation Counsel Memo from Jim Voss, Acting City of Madison Attorney