Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos
Press Release

Speaker Vos Announces Free Speech on Campus Act

The bill will ensure a person’s rights are protected by creating disciplinary measures for those who strive to disturb and impede free speech.

By - Apr 27th, 2017 01:27 pm

Madison…Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) unveiled new legislation to protect free speech at UW System schools. The bill fulfills the Assembly Republican promise to protect the First Amendment on college campuses, encouraging the debate of ideas and promoting diversity of thought.

“Free speech means free speech for everyone and not just for the person who speaks the loudest,” said Speaker Vos. “Students have the right to hear all sides of an issue, including the side they don’t agree with, in order to make an educated decision.”

The Free Speech on Campus Act directs the Board of Regents to implement a policy encouraging the freedom of expression throughout the university system. In addition, the bill will ensure a person’s rights are protected by creating disciplinary measures for those who strive to disturb and impede free speech. A new board consisting of university representatives as well as legislators would review the cases annually.

“All across the nation and here at home, we’ve seen protestors trying to silence different viewpoints,” said Speaker Vos.  “We need more speech, not less; it’s time to put in appropriate measures to ensure all speech is protected at our universities.”

Representative Jesse Kremer (R- Kewaskum), Representative Dave Murphy (R- Greenville) and Senator Sheila Harsdorf (R- River Falls) are the legislative leads on the bill.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

Mentioned in This Press Release

Comments

  1. Jonathan says:

    Poorly worded title. Should read “Wisconsin GOP threatens free speech by punishing students” free speech is protected. They want to bring in hate speech and silence protestors.

  2. In his own words, the bill actually seeks to suppress free speech. The give the bill a disassembling title, wrap it in the flag and pass it tactic works if the public doesn’t look behind the curtain. Another example of a solution, similar to voter fraud, looking for a problem

  3. myfivecents says:

    Free speech for some, but not for all. This is unconstitutional.

  4. Eric J says:

    H’mm : A law against civil disobedience ?
    -” a new board consisting of university representatives as well as legislators ” . And the university representatives will be appointed by whom ? SKW ??
    -This doesn’t sound at all like ” getting government out of our lives “

Leave a Reply

You must be an Urban Milwaukee member to leave a comment. Membership, which includes a host of perks, including an ad-free website, tickets to marquee events like Summerfest, the Wisconsin State Fair and the Florentine Opera, a better photo browser and access to members-only, behind-the-scenes tours, starts at $9/month. Learn more.

Join now and cancel anytime.

If you are an existing member, sign-in to leave a comment.

Have questions? Need to report an error? Contact Us