WILL Secures Settlement In Religious Censorship Case

Today, WILL secured a settlement with the Arrowhead Union High School District after school administrators prevented WILL client Sarianne Beronja from displaying a Bible verse in the graduation slideshow.

Earlier this year, Arrowhead invited graduating students to submit a personal message for the graduation slideshow, and Sarianne chose Proverbs 3:6: “In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path.”

The night before graduation, administrators told her she could not use the verse because it was religious and later rejected a replacement message which thanked God. Meanwhile, other students were allowed to include secular messages that fell outside the slideshow’s stated guidelines.

As part of the settlement, the District has apologized to Sarianne and her family, acknowledged that her religious message was unfairly denied, agreed to a settlement payment, and committed to First Amendment training for District administrators.

Sarianne's full story can be watched HERE.

What Has Speaker Paul Ryan Been Up To? Find Out On "If You Can Keep It"

We’re excited to welcome former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan to the “If You Can Keep It” podcast for a conversation on fixing America’s broken welfare system as the national debt just passed $40 trillion.

Speaker Ryan joins WILL President Rick Esenberg to discuss his new state-driven RISE pilot proposal as a possible solution to welfare reform and the rising debt. They also touch on AI, universal basic income, and what the future of America’s safety net should look like.

“If You Can Keep It” is now available on all platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Substack, and Rumble.

Milwaukee's Unconsitutional "Carve-Out" Comes To An End

Just before the new school year, a Wisconsin judge sided with the WILL in its lawsuit challenging an unconstitutional carve-out that allows Milwaukee County to withhold millions of dollars from Wisconsin’s Common School Fund.

The Wisconsin Constitution created the Common School Fund to support school libraries and requires certain motor vehicle fines and forfeitures to be deposited into it. Historically, counties kept 50% of those proceeds, but last summer’s state budget allowed Milwaukee County alone to keep 100%. The change was allegedly intended to help fund District Attorneys, but nothing in state law requires Milwaukee County to use the money for that purpose.

WILL Associate Counsel, Lauren Greuel, stated, “This decision will end an unconstitutional and costly money grab by Milwaukee County. WILL continues to oppose reckless mismanagement and unconstitutional overreach because taxpayers deserve a government that’s efficient, accountable, and operates within the law.”

WILL Challenges Race-Based Medical Admissions Quota

WILL called on the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), Governor Tony Evers, and the Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB) to immediately suspend a state-mandated race-based admissions quota.

We warned the governor that the quota is unconstitutional and is nearly identical to a race-based state program the Wisconsin Supreme Court unanimously struck down earlier this year following a WILL lawsuit.

WILL Deputy Counsel Rebecca Furdek stated, “Health care costs are rising, a skills gap in the medical field is on the horizon, and Wisconsin will soon see a shortfall of medical doctors. Yet Wisconsin’s own government imposes barriers on young people entering this crucial field, requiring MCW to enforce a race-based admissions quota in order to receive state funding This quota isn’t just unconstitutional; it’s an abuse of our tax dollars and worsens a looming workforce crisis that will impact us all. We should restore merit and equal treatment to the important field of medicine.”

FINAL CALL For WILL Annual Celebration Dinner Tickets!

We are approaching the deadline to get tickets for WILL’s Annual Celebration Dinner!

This evening brings together hundreds of friends who share a common belief: that liberty is worth defending, and that Wisconsin, and our nation, is worth fighting for. We hope you will join us!

This year's dinner will welcome Charles C.W. Cooke, Senior Editor at National Review, as our keynote speaker.

Additional Details:

• Date: Wednesday, September 16
• Time: 5:00 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.
• Venue: Italian Community Center (Bartolotta’s Catering), Milwaukee
• Attire: Cocktail or business attire

Friends of WILL — $175 per guest — [RSVP NOW]

A WILL-hosted cocktail reception with hors d'oeuvres, followed by a three-course filet dinner with wine service at the table.

Patron Circle — $550 per guest — [RSVP NOW]

All Friends of WILL benefits, plus a private pre-dinner reception with Charles C.W. Cooke.

If you have any questions about the event or registration, please don't hesitate to reach out!

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