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EDITORIAL: No ‘arms race' for UW benefits
Wisconsin should not be stampeded into benefit “arms race.”
IN MADISON, the University of Wisconsin system is in something of a tizzy because a prominent researcher quit his job, angered by the state's refusal to pay for health insurance benefits for his live-in domestic partner.
“(The state's policy) says, ‘We don't want your kind here.' Well, other places do want us and are willing to offer the respect and dignity, and so, with sadness, we're leaving,” said Rob Carpick, an associate professor of engineering at the UW-Madison. Carpick resigned to take a job at the University of Pennsylvania, where his partner will be covered by health benefits.
Michael Corradini, who chairs the engineering department, lamented the loss, calling Carpick “one of our young superstars.”
THAT MAY BE TRUE, but it doesn't necessarily follow that it obligates the University of Wisconsin - and, therefore, state taxpayers - to provide a program which lacks political support.
The level of support has been tested. In his last budget proposal, Gov. Jim Doyle sought funding to provide same-sex partners with health insurance benefits through the university. Legislators said no.
The temperature of state voters will be taken again this fall, when a referendum prohibiting same-sex marriage will be on the ballot. If the restriction passes, one might conclude voters probably are not in the mood to pay for benefits for couples they refuse to officially acknowledge. If the restriction fails, voters will be indicating a more open mind.
A court test also is upcoming, filed by six lesbian couples represented by the American Civil Liberties Union against the state. The last word clearly has not been heard on the subject.
BUT FOR NOW, state policy is clear. Domestic partners are not eligible for state-provided benefits.
Just because other universities provide such benefits, and because a promising researcher chose to leave to get such benefits, does not mean Wisconsin automatically should engage in a benefit “arms race” for talent. Some day the market may dictate such competitive benefit packages, but today there's no reason to believe the UW system is unable to attract qualified applicants for its jobs.
In such politically sensitive territory, the people should have a say through their elected representatives. The state exercised its right to offer, or in this case, not offer a certain benefit. And Professor Carpick exercised his right to take his talent elsewhere.
IN MADISON, the University of Wisconsin system is in something of a tizzy because a prominent researcher quit his job, angered by the state's refusal to pay for health insurance benefits for his live-in domestic partner.
“(The state's policy) says, ‘We don't want your kind here.' Well, other places do want us and are willing to offer the respect and dignity, and so, with sadness, we're leaving,” said Rob Carpick, an associate professor of engineering at the UW-Madison. Carpick resigned to take a job at the University of Pennsylvania, where his partner will be covered by health benefits.
Michael Corradini, who chairs the engineering department, lamented the loss, calling Carpick “one of our young superstars.”
THAT MAY BE TRUE, but it doesn't necessarily follow that it obligates the University of Wisconsin - and, therefore, state taxpayers - to provide a program which lacks political support.
The level of support has been tested. In his last budget proposal, Gov. Jim Doyle sought funding to provide same-sex partners with health insurance benefits through the university. Legislators said no.
The temperature of state voters will be taken again this fall, when a referendum prohibiting same-sex marriage will be on the ballot. If the restriction passes, one might conclude voters probably are not in the mood to pay for benefits for couples they refuse to officially acknowledge. If the restriction fails, voters will be indicating a more open mind.
A court test also is upcoming, filed by six lesbian couples represented by the American Civil Liberties Union against the state. The last word clearly has not been heard on the subject.
BUT FOR NOW, state policy is clear. Domestic partners are not eligible for state-provided benefits.
Just because other universities provide such benefits, and because a promising researcher chose to leave to get such benefits, does not mean Wisconsin automatically should engage in a benefit “arms race” for talent. Some day the market may dictate such competitive benefit packages, but today there's no reason to believe the UW system is unable to attract qualified applicants for its jobs.
In such politically sensitive territory, the people should have a say through their elected representatives. The state exercised its right to offer, or in this case, not offer a certain benefit. And Professor Carpick exercised his right to take his talent elsewhere.
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