A broad cross section of people and interest groups have come together to oppose the proposed amendment banning civil unions and gay marriage.  This includes a variety of religious groups, organized labor, a bipartisan group of former governors, and most recently the Madison Chamber of Commerce.  Over the weekend we have also learned that tourism officials are also concerned that passing the amendment could keep people from visiting Wisconsin. 

Although the people lining up against the amendment are multiplying, one major player has yet to state a position on this important issue. Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, which is hardly ever shy about going public on many issues, has hardly said a word on the proposed amendment. 

A broad cross section of people and interest groups have come together to oppose the proposed amendment banning civil unions and gay marriage.  This includes a variety of religious groups, organized labor, a bipartisan group of former governors, and most recently the Madison Chamber of Commerce.  Over the weekend we have also learned that tourism officials are also concerned that passing the amendment could keep people from visiting Wisconsin. 

Although the people lining up against the amendment are multiplying, one major player has yet to state a position on this important issue. Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, which is hardly ever shy about going public on many issues, has hardly said a word on the proposed amendment. 

It appears that WMC believes that the amendment is a social issue and that it does not involve business interests in Wisconsin.  While there is an undeniable social element to this issue, it seems equally undeniable that the amendment could have a clearly negative economic impact on business.  The Madison Chamber of Commerce set forward a strong case in this regard citing negative workforce attraction/retention implications.  After all, why would a skilled worker chose to move to Wisconsin if their domestic partner benefits could be ruled illegal?  How could this affect our current industries as well as the new ones that we hope to develop? 

The president of WMC should be credited for coming out in favor of embryonic stem cell research, but isn’t that also a “social issue” of sorts?  The argument used in the defense of stem cell research was that without state support, “attracting, retaining and nurturing new high-tech companies becomes extremely difficult if not impossible.”  Couldn’t that same argument be made regarding the amendment?  If a choice is given to a company or a skilled worker to relocate to either a state that fully supports unmarried couples or a state that restricts benefits to them, which state would likely, lose out on that company or worker? It may not be a factor in every case but how many companies and skilled workers can Wisconsin afford to lose? 

WMC should follow the example of their counterparts in Massachusetts who recently went public against a constitutional amendment in their state by saying the following:

Businesses throughout Massachusetts have long extended equal compensation and benefits to same-sex partners, because it makes sense to welcome all employees with the skills our businesses seek. We need all the tools at our disposal to make Massachusetts an attractive place to live and work for educated and skilled people, no matter their sexual orientation. Yet another acrimonious battle over marriage rights — driven by national political interests and not the state’s best interests — sends the wrong message.

WMC should break its silence on the amedment and take a stand for tolerance and inclusion. It would simply be a good business decision.