The Tea Party-backed, anti-gay union-busting Wisconsin governor is now sets his target sights on equality and partner benefits. Scott Walker wants to the state to defending a lawsuit which claims that Wisconsin’s domestic partner registry is unconstitutional, reports the Journal Sentinel and WTAQ.
Walker has asked a judge for permission to withdraw former Governor Jim Doyle’s previous request to throw out the lawsuit. Walker says he agrees with the Wisconsin Family Action group, which is challenging the constitutionality of the 2009 law which gives same-sex couples about one-fifth of the legal benefits of married couples.
Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen refused to defend the pro-family group’s lawsuit, and he issued an opinion that the domestic partner registry is unconstitutional. Doyle then hired Madison attorney Lester Pines to defend the suit.
Walker fired Pines in late March. "Walker is ideologically opposed to equal rights for gay and lesbian and transgendered people as is everyone in his administration," the attorney said at the time. "They will be probably want to take steps to ensure that gay and lesbian and transgendered people do not have equal rights."
It is unclear when Dane County Circuit Judge Daniel Moeser might rule on the motion. Even if Walker is allowed to withdraw, Fair Wisconsin says it will keep defending the ant-gay group’s lawsuit.
"It wasn’t unanticipated that Gov. Walker would be changing his position," Executive Director Katie Belanger told the AP. "It’s certainly disappointing that our governor is not working to continue to allow same-sex couples to have basic protections. We’re still very confident the registry is legal."
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I know the folks in that state are doing their best to recall the Senate and get his ridiculous policies overthrown as well as him...HURRY!!
Posted by: BLACK | 17 May 2011 at 15:36