WILL Challenges Race-Based Scholarships at Wisconsin Supreme Court

Today, WILL Deputy Counsel Luke Berg testified before the Wisconsin Supreme Court, challenging the Evers Administration's Minority Undergraduate Retention Program.

The program is a taxpayer-funded scholarship initiative, run by the Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board, and is only available to certain minority undergraduates enrolled in private, nonprofit higher educational institutions or in technical colleges in Wisconsin. 

The minority groups eligible for the taxpayer-funded program are: Black Americans, American Indians, Hispanics, and those specifically from Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia who immigrated after 1975.

In 2021, WILL sued over the program, which violates federal law and the Wisconsin Constitution. WILL represents five Wisconsin taxpayers who object to the state administering this race-based scholarship program, including Kiki Rabiebna and Richard Freihoefer, whose son is ineligible for a scholarship because of his race.

WILL-Backed "Red Tape Reset" Passes Senate

The WILL-backed “Red Tape Reset” is one step closer to becoming law after the Wisconsin State Senate voted in favor of the legislative package today.

Supported by a wide coalition of free-market groups and Wisconsin’s largest job creators, these reforms aim to modernize the state’s regulatory system, restore constitutional checks and balances, and spark economic growth. According to a poll, 67% of Wisconsinites also support a review of burdensome regulatory rules every seven years.

Following today's successful Senate vote, the Red Tape Reset package moves to the Wisconsin State Assembly for final approval. Once passed by both houses, the bills will head to the Governor's desk.

WILL Deputy Counsel, Lucas Vebber, stated, “Wisconsin is currently the 13th most regulated state in the nation — meaning real costs on everyday Wisconsinites who pay for groceries, shop for clothes, or try to start a business. Today, the Senate passed a set of bills to address this crisis, providing more oversight and limiting unnecessary regulations. We are hopeful that the State Assembly will move this legislation forward to protect Wisconsinites from the high costs of unchecked regulations.”

Don't Miss Out: Join WILL & AFP in Watertown and Manitowoc

Following the State Senate’s passage of the "Red Tape Reset" package today, WILL is teaming up with Americans for Prosperity to talk about what's next for these new reforms.

Join WILL’s Erin Gamble and Lucas Vebber later this month in Watertown and Manitowoc for a deep-dive and insights into our state's regulatory burden and the "Red Tape Reset." We'll discuss how these reforms will unlock Wisconsin's ability to compete and thrive in 2026 and beyond.

WILL Releases Model Policy Following New Richmond Controversy

This week, WILL has released a model school board policy explaining the legal basis for sex-separated bathrooms and their importance in protecting girls at school. The release comes amid a national debate on the issue and follows controversy in the New Richmond, Wisconsin, school district, where a policy allowing biological boys to use girls' bathrooms sparked concern among parents and students. WILL has sent a letter to the New Richmond School Board encouraging them to facilitate open and honest dialogue on this serious issue.

This model policy is intended to protect student privacy, comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its implementing regulations, and provide clear guidance regarding the use of sex-separated facilities. Also worth noting is that nothing in Title IX requires a school district to permit students to access sex-separated facilities designated for the opposite sex.

WILL Deputy Counsel, Cory Brewer, stated, “Girls should not have to miss class, risk discipline, or protest publicly just to preserve basic privacy at school. Title IX was enacted to protect students, not to force schools into policies that disregard bodily privacy. Our model policy ensures districts follow Title IX and protect student privacy.”

NOW HIRING: Policy Associate

WILL is now looking to hire a highly motivated Policy Associate to help drive policy research, legislative engagement, and marketing efforts across critical areas like education and regulatory reform.

This is an entry-level position where applicants will collaborate with our legal and communications teams to produce work that directly informs Wisconsin’s legislation and public debate. Learn more below!

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