August 5, 2006  The official explanation of the gay marriage
amendment, written by the attorney general who opposes it.  The
Wisconsin State Journal reports: Wisconsin Attorney General Peg
Lautenschlager sent two ballot explanations of the gay marriage
and death penalty referendums to the state Elections Board
Friday, providing the plain English translation that voters will
use when they weigh in on the hot-button issues in November....
[O]pponents of the proposed constitutional ban on gay marriage
and civil unions praised Lautenschlager's reading of the
amendment question for pointing out its uncertain effect on
joint benefits for unmarried couples. Supporters said it
reflected Lautenschlager's personal bias against the proposal.
State law requires Lautenschlager to produce the explanations,
which matter both because they might influence voters and
because they could play a role in later court decisions that
involve the intent of the proposal.  "It certainly could be
something that feeds into (voter) inten