WILL Action Helps DOT End Race and Sex-Based Quotas

The Department of Transportation (DOT) released a new rule that ends race and sex-based quotas within the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program, following a landmark WILL victory.

The DBE program governs how billions of federal highway funds are spent each year. States can no longer award contracts based on race and sex, and any state that does so will not only be in violation of federal law but risk the loss of federal funds for roads and bridges. This new rule applies to any entity—public or private—that uses federal funds on transportation projects.

The DOT has already placed a hold on billions of federal dollars meant for construction projects in New York. WILL also has pending civil rights complaints against the States of Wisconsin and New York regarding their use of federal funds to discriminate based on race.

WILL Deputy Counsel, Dan Lennington, stated, “Consider this a final warning to any person spending federal money on transportation: discrimination will not be tolerated. DOT’s action today removes any fig leaf of protection that states, cities, and private companies may have once had to operate these discriminatory programs. We will enforce our civil rights laws vigorously against anyone who continues to discriminate against contractors based on race or sex. We applaud this bold move by Secretary Duffy and the Trump Administration and are prepared to take nationwide legal action to enforce it.”

WILL Sets Record Straight After Superintendent Underly's "State of Education"

Following DPI Superintendent Jill Underly's “State of Education” address last week, WILL Education Counsel Cory Brewer penned an op-ed responding to several of the Superintendent's claims.

The piece challenged Superintendent Underly's priorities that focus on concepts like "belonging" and "inclusivity" saying that these concepts are secondary to the core mission of academics and noted that over 46% of students do not meet expectations in reading. The op-ed also took issue with the Superintendent's attack on school choice, suggesting a focus on system funding rather than student needs, despite public school districts already spending an average of nearly $18,000 per student.

Promoting Free Speech Worldwide

WILL's Deputy Counsel, Dan Lennington, recently shared insights on the First Amendment and its application with delegates from seven nations as part of the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.

Representatives from Sri Lanka, Namibia, Ethiopia, Czech Republic, Samoa, Bulgaria, and Uzbekistan traveled to Wisconsin for this meeting, highlighting WILL's role in promoting freedom and free expression across the globe.

OCTOBER 28: Parental Opt-Out Webinar

Join WILL on October 28 at 11AM (CT) for a webinar to discuss the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor.

Following this landmark decision, WILL released a popular opt-out form—already used by parents in more than half of U.S. states—to help them direct the religious upbringing of their children. Our team will explain the Mahmoud decision, outline what it means for parents now that the school year is in full swing, and detail how to effectively handle common responses and challenges from schools regarding your opt-out requests.

ICYMI: A recording from this week of WILL’s “Parental Toolkit” webinar is now available on YouTube HERE.

Other Ways To Get Involved With WILL:

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