Contact: Rep. Jill Billings
(608) 266-5780

Madison, Wisconsin – AB 299, a bill that would suppress UW students’ right to free speech, has reached the floor of the Wisconsin State Assembly and is expected to pass today. Rep. Jill Billings, a vehement opponent of this legislation, released the following statement ahead of today’s vote:

“This bill is a blatant overreach on the part of the state government,” Rep. Billings said. “The UW System already has recently updated policies in place to handle conduct they deem inappropriate, including disruptive students. None of us were elected to meddle in the inner workings of the university, nor to legislate gag rules on UW campuses.”

“When it comes to the UW, instead of suppressing students’ voices, we should be focusing on making college affordable and providing the resources needed to bolster research, increase patents and launch small business startups, all of which lead to student success and fuel our state’s economy,” Rep. Billings continued. “Moreover, we should be addressing the statewide challenges we face – our underfunded schools and dilapidated roads – instead of fabricating crises on campuses.”

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