Domestic partner benefits in Green Bay?

GREEN BAY - The City of Green Bay could be extending benefits to the domestic partners of city employees.

The issue hasn't reached the full council yet, but Tuesday night the Personnel Committee tried to better define the debate.

"When you commit to a person you care for them and that's what domestic partner benefits would be all about," longtime Public Works Department employee David Fowles said. "It's caring for the person you love the most."

Fowles came to the meeting armed with determination and his domestic partner registration.

He wanted to show city council members his legal commitment, hoping the Green Bay will change its policy and extend medical and dental benefits to domestic partners.

The committee has already reviewed and shelved the issue once, after some intense debate.

But Fowles and Ald. Ned Dorff continued the push and asked the City for a clear definition of domestic partners.

"We have employees here who are asking for equal treatment and I believe they have the right for the council to debate this intelligently," Dorff said

And no doubt heatedly. Wisconsin has a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

However, a new law also recognizes the unions of gay and lesbian couples with a domestic partner registry.

The registry offers equal benefits to state employees, but lets municipalities determine what their employees receive.

"I do not believe that we should be passing any sort of definition that gives any sort of credence to what, in my view, is a blatant disregard for the will of the people," Ald. Shae Sortwell, who is not a member of the committee, said.

"We benefit marriage through government because marriage between a man and woman is good for society at large," Julaine Appling with advocacy group Wisconsin Family Action said. "This is not the time for any municipality to be considering yet another financial burden upon citizens."

Fowles says it not about money, it's quality of life.

"It would be everything," he explained. "Imaging having insurance coverage for yourself but the person you care the most about in the world does not have this."

The Personnel Committee did not make any changes to Green Bay's definition of domestic partners Tuesday.

The city plans to use the state's definition for such unions for any future benefits requests.