Current:Home > StocksWisconsin lawmakers to vote on constitutional amendment to limit diversity efforts-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Wisconsin lawmakers to vote on constitutional amendment to limit diversity efforts
View Date:2024-12-23 23:06:04
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! (87)
Related
- Footage shows Oklahoma officer throwing 70-year-old to the ground after traffic ticket
- Israeli president speaks against 2-state solution ahead of meeting with U.S security chief
- Vodka, doughnuts and a side of fries: DoorDash releases our favorite orders of 2023
- King Charles pays light-hearted tribute to comedian Barry Humphries at Sydney memorial service
- US Election Darkens the Door of COP29 as It Opens in Azerbaijan
- Coca-Cola recalls 2,000 Diet Coke, Sprite, Fanta Orange soda packs
- SAG-AFTRA to honor Barbra Streisand for life achievement at Screen Actors Guild Awards
- Victims allege sex abuse in Maryland youth detention facilities under new law allowing them to sue
- Brian Austin Green’s Fiancée Sharna Burgess Celebrates Megan Fox’s Pregnancy News
- NFL standout is a part-time 'gifted musician': How Eagles' Jordan Mailata honed his voice
Ranking
- Inspector general finds no fault in Park Police shooting of Virginia man in 2017
- Theme weddings: Couples can set their love ablaze at Weeded Bliss
- Supreme Court leaves Illinois assault weapons ban in place
- Top Polish leaders celebrate Hanukkah in parliament after antisemitic incident
- Horoscopes Today, November 11, 2024
- Pandemic relief funding for the arts was 'staggering'
- Prosecutors say NYC courthouse fire suspect burned papers with complaints about criminal justice
- Mexico’s search for people falsely listed as missing finds some alive, rampant poor record-keeping
Recommendation
-
Natural gas flares sparked 2 wildfires in North Dakota, state agency says
-
Jake Paul says he 'dropped' Andre August's coach in sparring session. What really happened?
-
Two men charged after 'killing spree' of 3,600 birds, including bald eagles, prosecutors say
-
Gospel Singer Pedro Henrique Dead at 30 After Collapsing Onstage
-
Controversial comedian Shane Gillis announces his 'biggest tour yet'
-
Emma Stone's Cute Moment With Ex Andrew Garfield Will Have Your Spidey Senses Tingling
-
See Gigi Hadid, Zoë Kravitz and More Stars at Taylor Swift's Birthday Party
-
Jury in Rudy Giuliani defamation trial begins deliberations after he opts not to testify