City of Madison officials say they're ready for a potential legal fight over domestic partner benefits currently offered to city employees. City Council President Austin King says there's already pressure from some people to dump benefits offered to the unmarried partners of city workers. He says the effort started after voters approved the constitutional ban on gay marriage and civil unions in November.
King says anti-gay activists in town have been sending e-mails to the city so far, and he expects pressure to pick up over time. But, he says don't expect that to happen anytime soon. He says many local leaders will dig their heels in for a fight to keep the benefits in place.
King says a factor in the city's favor for keeping the benefits is that many supporters of the benefit said it had nothing to do with domestic partner benefits.
WIBA's John Colbert contributed to this report.