Major Win for Wisconsin Maps as Redistricting Lawsuit Tossed

Yesterday, a circuit court decided to dismiss a lawsuit filed against Wisconsin's current congressional maps.

WILL applauds this decision as we had previously filed motions to intervene in two lawsuits seeking to overturn the state's congressional maps. One of those lawsuits now remains active.

The case dismissed yesterday brought claims under a partisan gerrymandering theory which has been repeatedly rejected by state and federal courts – including the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The other case, which still has motions to dismiss pending, brought an "anti-competitive gerrymandering" claim which has not been legally recognized anywhere, and would have many other unintended consequences.

These cases are the fourth and fifth time WILL has defended Wisconsin's congressional maps in court. WILL continues to defend the legal process, including the Legislature's sole authority and responsibility to draw legislative and congressional maps, as provided in the United States Constitution.

WILL Deputy Counsel Lucas Vebber joined The Benjamin Yount Show today to break down the decision and discuss what it means for future Wisconsin redistricting cases. Tune in below.

SCOTUS Blocks Colorado Talk Therapy Law

The United States Supreme Court sent a clear message this week by ruling 8–1 that Colorado cannot enforce its "conversion therapy" ban against private conversations between therapists and minors.

In a major victory for the First Amendment, the Court found Colorado's law engaged in blatant viewpoint discrimination by allowing therapists to "affirm" a minor's gender identity while banning any guidance toward changing it.

This decision has a national impact. Roughly two dozen states, including Wisconsin, have laws in place similar to Colorado that could be affected.

Evers' Veto Puts Teachers Union First, Wisconsin Students Last

This week, Governor Evers vetoed Assembly Bill 602, blocking Wisconsin from opting into a groundbreaking new federal tax credit scholarship program offered to all Wisconsin K-12 students.

The law created a permanent K-12 scholarship program that is funded through private donations and incentivized by an annual 100% federal tax credit for individuals of up to $1,700. Participation would not impact the state budget in Wisconsin.

Although 29 other states have embraced this privately funded initiative, with Democrat Colorado Governor Jared Polis even calling it a "no-brainer," the Evers veto prevents Wisconsin families from accessing private donation dollars for tuition, extra tutoring, new technology, transportation, special needs therapies, and more.

Wisconsinites can still donate to the scholarship program and claim a tax credit. However, the money will now be sent to students of states that did join the program. No Wisconsin kids are eligible to benefit.

WILL Deputy Counsel, Cory Brewer, stated, “This new federal opportunity offers a meaningful way to expand educational opportunities for Wisconsin students in all types of schools at no cost to the state. While other Democratic governors are embracing—or seriously considering—this opportunity, Governor Evers chose to side with the education establishment instead of Wisconsin families. At a time when other states are expanding opportunity, Wisconsin is being left behind by its own leadership.”

Evers Ignores Teachers, Denies Classroom Safety Reform

The Governor also vetoed the Teacher Bill of Rights (AB 614), legislation designed to restore order and safety to Wisconsin classrooms. The bill sought to empower educators with stronger disciplinary authority and required parental notification for serious classroom incidents.

The Teacher Bill of Rights responded to years of feedback from Wisconsin educators who report inconsistent discipline policies, and that lack of administrative support has made it harder to maintain safe, productive classrooms.

Current data shows that nearly half of Wisconsin teachers report that classroom conduct rules are enforced only sometimes or never, and more than one in four report fear for their physical safety at school.

WILL continues to push for reform in our classrooms. We recently launched a storytelling effort to talk about classroom behavior, and a documentary about classroom safety will be released later this spring.



WILL Associate Counsel, Lauren Greuel, stated, “Wisconsin faces declining academic achievement and a growing teacher shortage, and classroom behavior is a key factor to both problems. This legislation would have provided needed clarity and support for teachers to effectively manage their classrooms. It’s disappointing that Governor Evers vetoed bipartisan legislation aimed at addressing these challenges. Make no mistake, ignoring this critical problem will only worsen the crisis in our classrooms.”

How Did Wisconsin's Supreme Court Races Go Nuclear?

The April 7th Wisconsin Supreme Court election is just around the corner, and WILL President Rick Esenberg is here to tell you exactly what you need to know.

In Episode 7 of the "If You Can Keep It" podcast, we discuss an issue that has transformed dramatically over the past decade: the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Tune in as we examine why these once-quiet judicial races have become some of the most popular and high-stakes political battles in the nation.

Special guest is Brian Reisinger, a veteran of Wisconsin's policy and political landscape, and he joins us to break down the upcoming April 7th election, national implications of these races, and the shifting dynamics that are redefining the Court and the state.

The “If You Can Keep It” podcast can be listened to on all platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Substack, and Rumble.

TOMORROW: Breaking Down Teachers Union Lawsuit on School Choice

Join WILL on Thursday, April 2 at 11:30 AM, for a webinar breaking down the recent teachers' union and multi-district lawsuit targeting Wisconsin's school choice programs. The lawsuit claims the state is not adequately funding public schools and, in part, blames choice programs for those shortcomings.

WILL Research Director Will Flanders will provide a data-driven look at the true reality of education funding, while WILL Deputy Counsel Lucas Vebber will discuss and analyze the legal merits of the case.

Don't miss this deep dive into a legal challenge that threatens the future of choice and charter schools and the potential fallout for local budgets across the state.

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