The Board of Estimates unanimously approved an ordinance Monday requiring private contractors with the city of Madison to give the same benefits, such as health insurance, to those in domestic partnerships as married couples.
According to Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, this concept exists in ordinances throughout the country, including Dane County.
"I think it's absolutely the right thing to do, and we should have done it a long time ago," Verveer said.
Work on the city ordinance began about a year ago only after the state passed similar legislation.
"I thought it would be hypocritical of the city to impose [requiring equal benefits] on our contractors when we ourselves are not providing equal benefits to our own city employees that are in domestic partnerships," Verveer said.
Verveer said those who "don't wish to have a marriage license" fall under the ordinance and applies to both gay and straight couples in domestic partnerships.
