Democrat state senators and the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission both sent letters to Gov. Scott Walker Wednesday, stating their grievances with the controversial race-based mascot bill currently sitting on his desk.
Under current law, one person can file a complaint against school districts that have a problematic mascot. The new bill would require the approval of 10 percent of the school district population before it can officially be reviewed in the Department of Administration.
Every member of the state Senate Democratic Caucus signed a letter, saying the bill, if passed, “eradicates … much of the goodwill [between the Wisconsin government and Native Americans].”
James Zorn, the executive administrator for the GLIFWC, said in a separate letter the new legislation would incorrectly “signal that imagery and behavior that mimics tribal cultural or ceremonial activities are acceptable, even though found to be offensive by Native Americans.”
The bill only needs Walker’s signature to become law, but Walker has not commented on a final decision.
