Lawmakers debate race-based mascot bill
Lawmakers debated a race-based mascot bill at the Capitol Thursday.
The bill would put the burden of proof on the person complaining about a school mascot’s nickname rather than the district.
Right now, the state can force schools to drop race-based names if a single complaint is filed.
This bill would make residents get enough signatures on a petition to cover 10 percent of the student body.
Lawmakers and representatives from various organizations, including the Ho-Chunk Nation and the Department of Public Instruction spoke at the event. Many cited studies showing having a race-based nickname can be detrimental to students.
