WILL Demands Accountability for UW-Madison Race-Based Scholarships

WILL filed a new Title VI complaint following our continued investigation into race-based practices at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This second complaint was filed on behalf of our client Young America’s Foundation (YAF), representing thousands of students across the country, including conservative students on the UW-Madison campus.

During the 2024-25 school year, WILL discovered that UW-Madison offered at least 60 race-based scholarships to students, excluding many white and Asian students from even applying for these scholarships. To hold these actions accountable, WILL filed a federal civil rights complaint against UW-Madison in January 2025. In March 2025, the Trump Administration opened an investigation on UW-Madison’s race-based practices.

Since then, WILL has submitted public records requests to UW-Madison for a list of race-based scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year and found that UW-Madison still offers at least 22 race-based scholarships. WILL is once again asking for a new and expanded federal investigation into UW-Madison’s discriminatory and illegal practices.

WILL Vice President and Deputy Counsel, Dan Lennington, said, “UW-Madison is flouting federal law, and playing chicken with the Trump Administration. This won’t end well: a Title VI violation can result in the loss of federal funding, as other universities have discovered. We are calling for a new and expanded investigation into all the discriminatory practices at UW-Madison.”

WILL Applauds Passage of Equality Amendment

This week, the Wisconsin State Assembly passed the “Equality Amendment,” otherwise known as Assembly Joint Resolution 102 (AJR 102).

This is a proposed amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution that prohibits state and local governments from discriminating against or granting preferential treatment to individuals or groups based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, public education, public contracting, and public administration. WILL issued the following statement:

WILL Managing Vice President and Deputy Counsel, Dan Lennington, stated, “The Equality Amendment will end discriminatory DEI programs throughout Wisconsin. These policies hurt countless parents, children, employees, small businesses, and average Wisconsin citizens every day. We commend the State Assembly for taking this important step. Now, the State Senate should move quickly to finish the job and give Wisconsin voters the chance to weigh in.”

WILL Continues Fight for Lawful Maps

WILL filed briefs in the pair of redistricting cases currently before a SCOWIS-appointed panel. We will continue to represent voters in all 8 congressional districts who want to keep the lawful maps already in place.

Read WILL's briefs HERE and HERE.

Analysis: Milwaukee Public Schools Win, Taxpayers Lose

In a new analysis, WILL Research Director Will Flanders takes on Wisconsin's soaring property taxes and explains the state's ranking as the 9th highest for property taxes in the country.

He argues that Governor Evers' "400-year veto" is a primary driver of these costs because it locks in massive tax authority for centuries. As a result, Milwaukee Public Schools, which only has 8.1% of the student population and declining enrollment, is getting over 50% of the total property tax revenue shift.

WILL Testifies to Curb Overreach and Protect Girls' Sports

WILL Policy Director Kyle Koenen testified before lawmakers this week in support of AJR 127, which ends the abuse of the Governor's partial veto powers. This amendment seeks to stop executive overreach where governors carve out legislation to create new laws and taxes without legislative consent. WILL's testimony highlights how the partial veto has been used to bypass the democratic process and ignore the will of the people.

Lauren Greuel, WILL's Associate Counsel, also testified this week to ensure that girls' sports remains just that, for girls. This effort aims to protect the integrity of Title IX, which was created over 50 years ago to provide female athletes with a level playing field.

Donate to WILL Today!

Together, we will make sure that our freedoms are protected for our children and grandchildren. Together, we can be that beacon of hope and liberty for all!

Your friendly donation helps fuel our mission and keep the ideals of America's founding fathers alive.

Read more at www.will-law.org.

Check out our various social media platforms!