Issue date: 5/7/07 Section: Campus News

State Sen. Russ Decker, D-Weston, and state Rep. Kitty Rhoades, R-Hudson, co-chairpersons of the 16-member Joint Finance Committee, have agreed to remove 48 non-fiscal items as identified by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau from the 2007-2009 state budget.

Among the items removed is a proposal to grant state employees in domestic partnerships access to health care benefits similar to those offered to other state employees.

The proposal may still be brought up in the finance committee, but would require the approval of both co-chairs, state Sen. Mark Miller, D-Monona, said. The proposal would also require nine votes of approval before being included on the committee's final version of the budget.

And though debate is still possible, some people have expressed doubt that the proposal would gain the approval of the committee.

"It's going to be an uphill battle to get the nine votes needed," said Don Nelson, assistant director of state relations for UW-Madison.

Nelson said domestic partners who are employed by the state - including employees of the UW System - are currently barred from receiving the types of health and dental benefits that are available to other employees who have families.

This provision, Nelson said, would allow domestic partners to have access to these benefits.

Carrie Lynch, spokeswoman for Decker, said the proposal not only advocates for basic fairness, but would also help the UW System recruit and retain better employees and faculty members. She said the university loses grant money when faculty researchers leave the System to work elsewhere.

Nelson echoed some of Lynch's comments, explaining UW-Madison has had trouble retaining faculty members in recent years.

Madison was able to retain only 57 percent of faculty members who were offered positions at out-of-state institutions last year, Nelson said, adding that in the past, the university has usually retained 75 percent of faculty members who were offered positions outside the state.

"This is a business decision that allows us to be on the same footing as our other colleagues," Nelson said of the proposal. "We really find ourselves at a competitive disadvantage by not being able to offer this benefit."

Student Senate President Ray French said he advocates the passage of the provision, citing the need for the UW System to remain competitive with its peer institutions.

"At this day and age, we need to stay competitive with all the comprehensive, four-year universities," French said, adding he feels the lack of domestic partner benefits affects the quality of university faculty and staff, which he said ultimately affects the students. "I think we've reached a point where this is something that should be offered," French said. "It's important for the UW System to stay current in that regard."

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