Colleges and Universities Committee Hearing on Free Speech Bill
This week the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities, which I chair, held a public hearing on Assembly Bill 501 relating to free speech on UW campuses and Wisconsin technical college campuses. Universities are meant to foster open dialogue and free exchange of ideas, but many Wisconsin students feel scared to openly express their ideas due to fear of hostility or academic downgrade from peers or professors. A 2023 UW systemwide free speech survey found that more than half of students admitted to self-censoring their viewpoints in class for fear of being downgraded for their views on controversial issues. This is not the environment that universities are supposed to foster. This bill establishes freedom of expression and academic freedom standards on UW campuses and technical colleges so that no student feels scared to share their opinions and engage in open discussion.
As a board member of Free Speech for Campus, I am committed to ensuring the First Amendment rights of all people on campuses including students, faculty, and visitors. Thank you Representative Nedweski for authoring this bill and I look forward to furthering this legislation in my committee and sending it to the Assembly Floor.
Public Hearing in Campaigns and Elections Committee
I am a member of the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections which held a public hearing last week on a series of bills. These bills ranged from regulating absentee voting and voter registration, to election observers, and more. It is important that Wisconsin elections are strong and secure, making sure that fraud and malpractice does not happen and affect the solidity of our voting institutions. As a member of this committee, I look forward to passing legislation that makes Wisconsin elections fair and upholds the rights of voters guaranteed by the Constitution.
Outagamie County Veterans Day Ceremony
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State Capitol Tours
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The best way to experience the beauty and grandeur of Wisconsin’s Capitol building (located at 2 East Main Street, Madison, WI 53702) is to see it for yourself. It is open to the public weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and weekends and holidays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Free tours are offered daily, year round except on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas. Tours start at the information desk Monday through Saturday at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 a.m. and 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m.; and Sundays at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m. A 4:00 p.m. tour is offered weekdays (Monday – Friday), excluding holidays, during Memorial Day through Labor Day. Plan on spending 45-55 minutes for a tour. The sixth floor museum and observation deck are open during the summer months. Groups of ten or more can make an on-line reservation for a tour of the State Capitol or call (608)266-0382.
