If a state lawmaker has his way, the tree placed each year in the state Capitol rotunda will be known as a “Christmas Tree” once again.
Lawmakers changed the name to “Holiday Tree” in 1985, but state Representative Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna) is introducing an Assembly Joint Resolution to change it back. Steineke says “it’s an insult to peoples’ intelligence to call it a holiday tree when everyone knows what it is…a Christmas tree.”
This year’s tree is already up in the rotunda and Governor Walker has been referring to it as a Christmas tree. Steineke says he still wants to make it official in the Legislature since that’s where the holiday name was previously approved.
With it uncertain whether the Legislature will return before the end of the year, Steineke admits the name may not officially change until after this year’s tree is already down.
The Legislature last tried to change the name back to “Christmas Tree” in 2007. The Assembly approved the measure, but the resolution did not pass in the state Senate.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (1:02)