Transformational Green Amendment Will Protect Wisconsin’s Environment for All Current and Future Generations

MADISON – Today, Representative Darrin Madison (D-Milwaukee)  and Senator Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit) celebrate Earth Day and Wisconsin’s natural environment by highlighting 2023 Assembly Joint Resolution 144 / Senate Joint Resolution 135 – a Green Amendment to Wisconsin’s State Constitution.

The amendment declares that: “The people, including future generations, have the right to a clean, safe, and healthy natural environment, including pure water, clean air, healthy soils, self-sustaining ecosystems, and a safe and stable climate, and to the preservation of the natural, cultural, scenic, and healthful qualities of the environment.”

Green Amendments have been passed in Montana, Pennsylvania, and New York. They have been introduced in 23 states. Visit www.WIGreenAmendment.org to learn more.

Representative Madison issued the following statement:

“I am proud to introduce a green amendment that will protect Wisconsin’s climate and environment for current and future generations. Communities across Wisconsin are struggling with environmental challenges ranging from a lack of access to sustainable and affordable food to lead and PFAS contamination in our waters. By granting constitutional rights to all people, this green amendment creates strong environmental justice pathways for marginalized communities across Wisconsin that too often face the brunt of environmental pollution. This amendment provides a transformational opportunity for the people of Wisconsin to vote to protect our natural resources for all regardless of socioeconomic status.”

Senator Spreitzer issued the following statement:

“Wisconsin’s natural beauty, resources, and outdoor economy are an invaluable part of our state’s identity. Our state’s constitution already protects the right to fish, hunt, trap, and take game, as well as guaranteeing access to our state’s navigable waters, and adopting this amendment would integrate environmental protection with those existing, complementary rights. As warmer winters and unpredictable precipitation patterns impact Wisconsin’s $23.7 billion tourism industry, extreme weather events are also making it harder to predictably plant and harvest crops, decreasing soil quality, and leading to higher amounts of runoff – all of which hurts our $104.8 billion agricultural economy.

“From Superior to Beloit, this constitutional amendment presents an opportunity to safeguard our environment, strengthen Wisconsinites’ rights, and preserve our state’s economic drivers. By supporting this amendment, Wisconsin will join a growing movement to preserve our natural resources and our way of life for generations to come.”

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.