Gov. Jim Doyle on Thursday defended his budget proposal to grant domestic partner benefits to state employees by saying "it isn't marriage." Critics have said the proposal may violate the state ban on same sex unions

"I think most people think that somebody ought be able to make end of life decisions for a lifelong partner," Doyle told reporters following the signing ceremony for the budget adjustment bill passed Wednesday by the Legislature.

"I think you'll see these are pretty common sense rights that would come to people on the registry, and they don't cost the state any money, they're just a way that you can be a little more decent to people," he said.

Doyle also responded to a question about cutting the film tax credit in his 2009-11 budget proposal. A reporter said he talked to a film producer who was planning to bring a $6 million production to the state, but won't come if the credit is eliminated.

Asked if eliminating the credit is a good thing in light of the producer's comments, Doyle deadpanned, "It probably saved us a lot of money."

Doyle proposed cutting the tax credit after it was revealed the state paid out $4.6 million in incentives to producers of the film "Public Enemies," while realizing about $5 million from the production.

"Can anybody seriously justify that we should be laying out $4 million for one movie that comes here that doesn't produce any long-term jobs for the state, where we end up paying portions of a director's salary?" he asked. "You know, I'd like to see what that movie finally makes."

Doyle jumped at the chance in the press conference to clarify his position on toll roads. A newspaper reported Wenesday that Doyle said during an editorial board visit he is open to the possiblity of toll roads.

"I am not contemplating toll roads," he said. "I have not proposed them, and I will not propose them."

Doyle said his comments to the newspaper were in the context of looking down the road 10 or 15 years when cars may be run by means other than gasoline, and the need to adjust how roads are paid for at that time.

Doyle brushed off charges that the budget adjustment bill was a partisan document and rushed through the process.

The provisions in the bill have been discussed and debated over time, he said.

"What are we gonna do, debate the hospital assessment for another month?" he said.

Doyle said there was a lot in the bill that Republicans could vote for, like cuts to state government and provisions to encourage early investment in start-up companies. No legislative Republicans voted for the bill.

"I think what you saw last night for those of you who watched the endless, meaningless debate was just an attempt by them to make it as partisan as they could," Doyle said.

Listen to Doyle's remarks before signing the bill here.

Listen to Doyle taking questions from reporters here.

-- By Greg Bump