March 6, 2007

Around Wisconsin
... Public hearings on state budget scheduled around the state
... Wisconsin Supreme Court to hear case filed by municipalities in same-sex benefits suit

Around the Nation
... Rhode Island attorney general issues opinion recognizing same-sex marriages performed in Massachusetts
... Students suspended for praying before school

Around Wisconsin Family Council
... The Family Research Institute of Wisconsin receives award from Focus on the Family
... FRI-WI in the media
... Updated list of legislation FRI-WI is following
... Director of SALT Ministries joins FRI-WI staff

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Around Wisconsin
... Public hearings on state budget scheduled around the state
Joint Committee on Finance co-chairs Sen. Russ Decker (D-Weston) and Rep. Kitty Rhoades (R-Hudson) announced sites of public hearings on the state budget in Milwaukee on March 20, De Forest area on March 21, Chippewa Falls on March 27, Prairie du Chien on April 4, Rhinelander on April 11 and Green Bay on April 12. Such public hearings provide Wisconsin citizens a rare opportunity to present their views and concerns on the budget.

... Wisconsin Supreme Court to hear case filed by municipalities in same-sex benefits suit
The Wisconsin Supreme Court will decide whether municipalities can intervene in a lawsuit filed in April 2005 by six lesbian state employees demanding health insurance and family leave benefits for their same-sex partners as a matter of equal protection under the state constitution. Both the state legislature and a number of municipalities attempted to intervene in the case, on the grounds that they could be forced to provide similar benefits if the state lost the case. A September 2006 appeals court decision stated that neither the legislature nor the municipalities have enough of a direct interest to intervene. The Supreme Court will hear the appeal of the municipalities, but not that of the legislature. (Article)

Around the Nation
... Rhode Island attorney general issues opinion recognizing same-sex marriages performed in Massachusetts
On February 21, 2007 Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch issued an opinion that Rhode Island will recognize a same-sex marriage performed in Massachusetts as a marriage in Rhode Island. His opinion was in response to a request from the Board for Higher Education that had received requests from three state employees who wanted to alter their personnel records to reflect their same-sex marriages in Massachusetts. A week before issuing his opinion, Lynch attended the wedding of his sister to her same-sex partner. He said his sister's marriage had no bearing on his opinion. Rhode Island has no law defining marriage as exclusively one man and one woman.

... Students suspended for praying before school
Late last week twelve students at Heritage High School in Vancouver, Washington, were suspended for 10 days for praying before school. The students tried to start a prayer club a few weeks ago but were not permitted to use a private room. They met in the school cafeteria to pray but were told by vice principal Alex Otoupal to pray outside. When the students insisted on praying in the cafeteria because of outside weather conditions, Otoupal suspended them for 10 days. A number of the suspended students are from Russia. Liberty Counsel is providing legal assistance in the case.

Around Wisconsin Family Council
... The Family Research Institute of Wisconsin receives award from Focus on the Family
Late last week The Family Research Institute of Wisconsin (FRI-WI) received the 2006 Community Impact Award from Focus on the Family for its educational efforts in connection with the passage of Wisconsin's Marriage Protection Amendment in November 2006. Julaine Appling, CEO of FRI-WI, accepted the award on behalf of the Institute.

... FRI-WI in the media

... Updated list of legislation FRI-WI is following

... Director of Salt Ministries joins FRI-WI staff
Hariah Hutkowski has joined the FRI-WI staff as Director of SALT (Salt And Light Together) Ministries. He and his wife, Cindy, have been married nearly 11 years, have a 3-1/2 year old daughter, Hannah, and are expecting their second child in April. Hariah's background includes over four years working as a legislative aide at the State Capitol. He currently serves as an alderman in Sun Prairie; he is also the treasurer of his local church.

The SALT Ministry is a member-driven ministry, serving under the oversight of local church leaders, to help congregations positively impact their community, culture and government. Its mission is to inform, inspire, and involve churches in the important cultural and moral issues of our day and to partner and work together to equip, educate and empower congregations to combat the darkness.

Please give Hariah a call if you would like to know more about this partnership (888-378-7395) or email him.

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