Wisconsin
Wisconsin Republicans pass parental rights bill but face uphill battle with Democratic governor
Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin passed legislation this week that would give parents the right over their children to determine what name their child is called in school as well as the pronouns associated with their child.
The bill also gives parents and guardians the right to pull their children out of classroom discussions on gender, race, sexual orientation, structural racism, or other topics they find personally or religiously inappropriate.
The bill, which passed 62-35 in the state assembly on Thursday, has an uphill battle in the state Senate. If it garners enough support in the Senate, it will go to Gov. Tony Evers (D-WI), who has vetoed similar legislation in the past. Despite previous challenges, the bill’s sponsor,
Republican state Rep. Robert Wittke told reporters he is hopeful for a different outcome this time.
“At some point in time, we have to get back to the way Gov. [Tommy] Thompson governed, and that was that we do things for what’s best for the families in Wisconsin and not be in that partisan divide continually,” he said.
The bill would also give parents the right to sue the school district if it doesn’t adhere to the proposed changes.
Critics argue the legislation will inflict trauma on children who are gay and transgender if they are prohibited from participating in general or sexual orientation discussions.
“Once again, I’m here on this floor disheartened and discouraged that legislative Republicans are making Wisconsin’s kids political footballs,” Democratic state Rep. Robyn Vining said during debate on the bill. “Culture war after culture war, you’ve taken aim at the LGBTQ+ community. And more recently, you’ve given yourself permission to take aim at kids.”
Democratic state Rep. Melissa Ratcliff argued the bill would open the door to “misgendering, deadnaming, and psychological harm for an already disenfranchised community.”
The hourslong debate got heated after Democratic state Rep. David Considine, a teacher and a parent, suggested, “Parents don’t always know best. Let’s be honest.”
Republican state Rep. Karen Hurd called the comment “a lie from the pit of hell” and said the implication that she, as a parent of five children, didn’t know what was best for them was “offensive.”
Evers vetoed similar legislation in 2022. He said that while parents are the “first and best teachers” children have, he was “vetoing this bill in its entirety because I object to sowing division in our schools, which only hurts our kids.”
Parent’s rights bills have been introduced in at least two dozen states, according to tracking by FutureEd.
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Four states have enacted them, including Florida, where the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law forbids “classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in certain grade levels or in a specified manner.”
Evers and Wisconsin lawmakers did not respond to the Washington Examiner’s calls with requests for comment.
With the action-packed Wisconsin high school boys basketball regular season completed and March Madness beginning, it’s time to take a look at some of the outstanding players and cast your vote for the best.
We began by looking at the most prolific individual scoring threats, talented 3-point shooters,strong rebounders, and top free-throw shooters so now it’s time to take a look at the high-caliber guards from throughout the state.
There are hundreds of high-caliber boys basketball players in Wisconsin, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive.
Voting remains open until March 9 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
(Players are listed in alphabetical order and all nominees are leaders from the 2025-26 season as compiled by Bound.com, and WIAA; the poll is below the list of athletes)
Castillo is averaging 25.4 points per game with 5.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals for Greendale (18-6 overall record).
Collien is averaging 15 points per game with 4.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists for Oakfield (21-3 overall record).
Edwards is averaging 14.1 points per game with 7.1 rebounds and 6.6 assists for D.C. Everest (21-3 overall record).
Gray Jr. was averaging 24.3 points per game with 6.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.1 steals prior for West Allis Central (22-2 overall record).
Hereford is averaging 36.4 points per game with 9.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 4.1 steals for Beloit Memorial (22-2 overall record).
Johnson is averaging 27.3 points per game with 8.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 3.6 steals for Milwaukee Juneau (22-1 overall record).
Jones is averaging 23.3 points per game with 5.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.6 steals for Germantown (15-9 overall record).
Kern is averaging 16 points per game with 6.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists for New Berlin West (21-3 overall record).
Kilgore is averaging 14.6 points per game with 7.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 3.0 steals for Kewaunee (24-0 overall record).
Kohnen is averaging 16.3 points per game with 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.3 steals for Slinger (20-4 overall record).
Knueppel is averaging 17.4 points per game with 7.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.9 blocks, and 1.4 steals for Wisconsin Lutheran (24-0 overall record).
Loose is averaging 18.2 points per game with 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.3 steals for Port Washington (23-1 overall).
Manchester is averaging 35.8 points per game for Mount Horeb (19-5 overall record).
Platz is averaging 19.5 points per game with 7.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists, and 1.4 steals for Brookfield East (19-5 overall record).
Prochnow is averaging 21.3 points per game with 11.1 assists, 4.8 assists, and 3.2 steals for Reedsville (21-3 overall record).
Resch is averaging 21.3 points per game with 3.3 assists and 2.0 steals for Arrowhead (18-6 overall record).
Schultz is averaging 27.4 points per game with 6.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.0 steals for Plymouth (17-7 overall record).
Schwalbach is averaging 15 points per game with 4.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals for Kaukauna (21-3 overall).
Sweeney is averaging 15.5 points per game for Appleton North (20-4 overall record).
Vandenberg is averaging 13 points per game with 2.3 assists and 2.0 rebounds for Freedom (23-1 overall).
About Our Player Poll Voting
High School on SI voting polls are meant to be a fun, lighthearted way for fans to show support for their favorite athletes and teams. Our goal is to celebrate all of the players featured, regardless of the vote totals. Sometimes one athlete will receive a very large number of votes — even thousands — and that’s okay! The polls are open to everyone and are simply a way to build excitement and community around high school sports. Unless we specifically announce otherwise, there are no prizes or official awards for winning. The real purpose is to highlight the great performances of every athlete included in the poll.
— Jeff Hagenau | jeffreyhagenau@gmail.com
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