A bill which could spell the end for Indian logos and mascots in Wisconsin schools is set for an Assembly vote today. The issue has been the subject of bills in seven consecutive sessions at the Capitol, but the author of this measure, state Representative Jim Soletski, thinks this is the bill that will finally get through to the governor’s desk. The Green Bay Democrat says that while support for the bill is primarily within his caucus, he also has the votes of “five or six” Republicans.
The bill (AB 35) would require that the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction investigate complaints about race-based names or mascots. If a district doesn’t drop it within a year, it could be fined up to a thousand dollars a day. Solestski will face no blow back from schools in his urban district, home to the East High School Red Devils and the Preble High School Hornets.
Today’s vote comes on the same day as the annual State of the Tribes address, which Soletski says is “probably not coincidental,” but was not something he requested. A Senate bill has not yet been scheduled for a vote.
AUDIO: Bob Hague (1:10 MP3) AUDIO: Bob Hague reports (1:10 MP3)
