Inclusivity advocates like Joint Finance action on benefits

Last Friday’s vote by the Joint Finance Committee to approve domestic-partner health insurance is being hailed as a major step forward by those who support extending such benefits. The committee voted 12-4 for Gov. Doyle’s plan to give the domestic partners of state employees the same state retirement and health insurance benefits as spouses. The University of Wisconsin has long sought that change, saying it’s harder to recruit talented gay and lesbian employees without those benefits. Approval by the Democratic-controlled Legislature is considered likely. See recap.