Campus Free Speech Act

With Free Speech Week coming to a close, I figured now would be the perfect time to explain my thoughts on the Campus Free Speech Act that was recently resurrected by members of the state Legislature.

In 2017, the UW Board of Regents adopted a policy that allowed for the punishment of students who “materially and substantially interfere with the free expression of others." That policy targets the growing trend on college campuses where students are shouting down or otherwise preventing someone with whom they disagree from speaking. 

In Wisconsin, the most notable example occurred when commentator Ben Shapiro visited the UW-Madison campus. In spite of being given an opportunity to express their dissenting opinions, a group of about 20 students stood in front of the stage chanting so loudly that Shapiro could not be heard for an extended period of time.

When the board adopted the policy, then State Superintendent of Schools Tony Evers was the only dissenting vote. This past week, the UW Board of Regents voted to make the punishments mandatory. The policy states that, on the second offense, the noncompliant student must be investigated and, if found in violation, he or she would be suspended for one semester. Gov. Evers has stated that he will not sign off on the new policy. 

I strongly believe that campuses should be places that allow for the free exchange of ideas. Having our beliefs and our values challenged is part of our intellectual development and it is how we learn to defend our positions. Peaceful protest is part of our First Amendment right to free speech and it should never be discouraged. Interfering with the free speech rights of others, however, must not be tolerated.

The Campus Free Speech Act, also known as AB 444, mirrors the Board of Regents' policy and writes it into state statute. This policy is modeled after those adopted by the University of Chicago and Yale University. It protects the rights of everyone to speak freely, while also protecting the right to protest peacefully. That is why I am proud to support this bill.

A Democratic legislative colleague of mine told me that one of her fondest memories from college at UW-Madison was when she went to hear legendary conservative author William F. Buckley speak. It was a small enough group that they were able to engage in discussion after his speech.  She disagreed with many of his positions, but she thoroughly enjoyed the intellectual exchange.  This is what the college experience should be, but I am afraid it does not happen these days. It is the reason we need the Campus Free Speech Act.

Air Quality

The Department of Natural Resources has announced some rather positive news for our state: the overall air quality in Wisconsin is improving.

The DNR’s 2019 Air Quality Trends Report shows that 94 percent of Wisconsin’s population lives within areas that meet federal air quality standards. In its research, the DNR also found that concentrations of most pollutants are decreasing throughout the state. 

Lowering our air pollutant levels has been a priority for the state Legislature for years, and I'm glad to see our pollution control programs are helping reduce emissions and strengthen our air quality.

However, as with most things, there is always room for improvement. Several counties along the coast of Lake Michigan are continuing to struggle with meeting federal standards. Having battled high levels of air pollutants for years, Door County is unfortunately one of those counties.

Still, I believe it's important to point out that this is not the fault of Door County businesses or residents. We are not large ozone pollutant producers and we have a relatively small population compared to other similar counties.

The air pollution levels in Door County can be mostly attributed to the larger cities nearby that generate significant amounts of pollutants. Winds coming from places like Chicago and Milwaukee can carry their emissions to Door County, leaving us with higher levels of air pollution as a result.

It's imperative that we continue working with our high pollutant cities so we can help improve the air quality in Door County and other counties that line our lakeshore. We are making great progress, but we must also remain steadfast in our efforts so that all of Wisconsin’s residents can live in areas that meet federal air quality standards.

If you are interested in reading the entire DNR air quality report, please click here. 

Combating Crime and Drugs 

I recently had the privilege of meeting with local law enforcement representatives and court officials to discuss how crime and drugs are affecting our district and the steps we can take to address these very important issues.

As part of the day's activities, I sat down with members of our local police and sheriff's departments to learn more about drug abuse in our region. The overwhelming majority I spoke with agreed that prevention, treatment and enforcement are our best options moving forward.

Treatment has actually become a top priority for Door County, with Circuit Court Judge David Weber, District Attorney Colleen Nordin and Sheriff Tammy Sternard working together to spearhead an adult drug treatment court. These treatment courts are influential in helping those who fail on probation and require more supervision.

I really appreciate this new leadership and the way they are thinking outside the box to assist some of our most vulnerable citizens. It is absolutely essential that we do whatever possible to help these people return to being contributing members of society. This effort is entirely voluntary and something they didn't have to do. I commend them for all they are doing to better our communities.  

If you would like to watch a short video of my entire experience, please click here. 

Upcoming District Events

What: Jack O' Lantern Days
Where: Throughout Fish Creek, WI
When: Friday, Oct. 25, through Sunday, Oct. 27
Details: "Mask making for kids, pumpkin carving, a haunting Halloween parade, trick-or-treating, costume parties for kids, adults, and dogs, and more. Visit visitfishcreek.com for more information."

What: Halloween Safe Walk
Where: Throughout Egg Harbor, WI
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Details: "Trick-or-Treat through the streets of Egg Harbor. Look for bright orange signs in the windows of participating businesses. Visit eggharbordoorcounty.org for a list of locations."

What: Thrills on Third
Where: Throughout Sturgeon Bay, WI
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Details: "A day of festive Halloween fun for the entire family! Activities include a costume parade (10am), slime-making at the library (1pm), trick-or-treating at Third Avenue businesses (1-3pm), and a family friendly Halloween party at Cherry Lanes Arcade Bar (12-8pm). The Boys and Girls Club will also have a haunted house (10am-1pm) and will serve food."