Current:Home > StocksWisconsin lawmakers to vote on constitutional amendment to limit diversity efforts-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Wisconsin lawmakers to vote on constitutional amendment to limit diversity efforts
View Date:2025-01-11 13:24:58
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A constitutional amendment supported by Republicans that attempts to limit diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in Wisconsin was up for its first vote in the Legislature on Thursday.
The measure up for Assembly approval is the latest effort targeting DEI efforts nationwide, but it is a long way from becoming law in Wisconsin. It must also pass the Senate this year and then the full Legislature next session before it would go to a statewide vote to be added to the Wisconsin Constitution.
Wisconsin Republicans have been proposing more constitutional amendments because they don’t require a sign off from Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. He has vetoed more bills than any other governor in state history, serving as a block on the agenda of Republicans who have strong majorities in the Legislature.
The proposal up for a vote Thursday would prohibit state and local governments, including the Universities of Wisconsin and local school districts, from discriminating against or granting preferential treatment to anybody on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. It requires hiring decisions to be based on “merit, fairness and equality,” a term conservatives have used as a counter to DEI.
Conservative backers of the constitutional amendment say the programs are discriminatory and promote left-wing ideology. Democratic supporters say the programs are necessary for ensuring institutions and government meet the needs of increasingly diverse populations.
The Wisconsin measure is modeled after a state constitutional amendment adopted in Michigan in 2006 and upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, Republican authors of the proposal said.
The amendment is designed not to be in conflict with federal law, saying that it does not prohibit any action that must be taken to maintain eligibility for any federal program. There are numerous federal laws that already prohibit discrimination based on sex, race, color, nationality or religion.
The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, a conservative law firm, is the only registered supporter of the amendment in Wisconsin. The only registered opponents are the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin and the National Association of Social Workers.
Consideration of the amendment comes after Universities of Wisconsin agreed, under a narrowly approved deal reached with Republicans, to limit DEI positions throughout the system. Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos called the deal the first step toward eliminating what he called “cancerous DEI practices” and requested a review of diversity initiatives across state government.
veryGood! (88)
Related
- Judith Jamison, acclaimed Alvin Ailey American dancer and director, dead at 81
- A year later, sprawling Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump has stalled
- Will the attacks on Walz’s military service stick like they did to Kerry 20 years ago?
- Hoda Kotb Shares Reason Why She and Fiancé Joel Schiffman Broke Up
- South Carolina lab recaptures 5 more escaped monkeys but 13 are still loose
- ‘J6 praying grandma’ avoids prison time and gets 6 months home confinement in Capitol riot case
- News outlets were leaked insider material from the Trump campaign. They chose not to print it
- Timelapse video shows northern lights glittering from the top of New Hampshire mountain
- Seattle man faces 5 assault charges in random sidewalk stabbings
- Aaron Rodgers says he regrets making comment about being 'immunized'
Ranking
- FBI raids New York City apartment of Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan, reports say
- Brittany Snow Shares Heartbreaking Details of Her Father’s Battle With Alzheimer’s Disease
- Barack Obama reveals summer 2024 playlist, book recs: Charli XCX, Shaboozey, more
- Porsha Williams Mourns Death of Cousin and Costar Yolanda “Londie” Favors
- UConn, Kansas State among five women's college basketball games to watch this weekend
- Chick-fil-A's Banana Pudding Milkshake is returning for the first time in over a decade
- Officer faces murder charge in shooting of pregnant Black woman who was accused of shoplifting
- Advocates want para-surfing to be part of Paralympics after being overlooked for Los Angeles 2028
Recommendation
-
Daniele Rustioni to become Metropolitan Opera’s principal guest conductor
-
Paige DeSorbo Shares Surprising Update on Filming Summer House With Pregnant Lindsay Hubbard & Carl Radke
-
Jets shoot down Haason Reddick's trade request amid star pass rusher's holdout
-
Katie Couric says CBS' decision to replace Norah O'Donnell with 2 men is 'out of touch'
-
Indiana man is found guilty of murder in the 2017 killings of 2 teenage girls
-
Sur La Table Flash Sale: $430 Le Creuset Dutch Oven For $278 & More 65% Off Kitchen Deals Starting at $7
-
Prince William, Princess Kate congratulate Great Britain's Olympic team
-
Brittany Snow Shares Heartbreaking Details of Her Father’s Battle With Alzheimer’s Disease