Wisconsin lawmakers to vote on constitutional amendment to limit diversity efforts
MADISON, Wis. — A Republican-backed constitutional amendment that seeks to limit diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in Wisconsin received its first vote in the Legislature on Thursday.
The measure up for passage in the Assembly is the latest attempt to target DEI efforts across the country, but it is still a long way from becoming law in Wisconsin. It also must pass the Senate this year and then the next session of the full Legislature before it can be voted on across the state to be added to the Wisconsin Constitution.
Wisconsin Republicans have proposed more constitutional amendments because they would not require approval from Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. He has signed off on more bills than any other governor in the state’s history, putting a block on the agenda of Republicans who hold a strong majority in the Legislature.
The proposal being voted on Thursday would prohibit state and local governments, including Wisconsin universities and local school districts, from discriminating against or giving preferential treatment to anyone based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. It requires that hiring decisions be based on “merit, fairness, and equality,” a term conservatives have used to counter DEI.
Conservative supporters of the constitutional amendment say the programs are discriminatory and promote left-wing ideology. Democratic supporters say the programs are needed to ensure that institutions and government meet the needs of increasingly diverse populations.
The Wisconsin measure is modeled after a state constitutional amendment that passed in Michigan in 2006 and was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, the bill’s Republican authors said.
The amendment is intended not to conflict with federal law and states 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, national origin, 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.
The amendment’s consideration comes after the Universities of Wisconsin, under a narrowly approved deal with Republicans, agreed to limit DEI positions across the system. Republican Chairman Robin Vos called the deal the first step toward eliminating what he called “cancerous DEI practices” and called for a review of diversity initiatives within state government.