Statement of Governor Doyle Regarding the Domestic Partnership Registry

MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today made the following statement regarding Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen’s decision not to represent the state’s domestic partnership rights in Wisconsin:

"The Attorney General's job is to represent the state and defend state law when there is a good faith defense to be made. His representation should not be based on whether he likes the state law. Clearly this is defensible. Constitutional law experts have examined the domestic partnership registry and believe it is sound and not in conflict with the state constitution. Attorney General Van Hollen's decision not to defend the domestic partner registry will force the costs of outside counsel onto taxpayers when the Attorney General should simply do his job."

A memo from UW Law Professor David Schwartz outlining why the domestic partnership registry is constitutional is available here: http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=17476