MIDDLETON – Today, Governor Tony Evers called for a special session of the Legislature on October 4th to take up a constitutional amendment to allow Wisconsinites to change state law through binding statewide referendum. This referendum would create a pathway for Wisconsinites to directly challenge the state’s criminal abortion ban and repeal the archaic law. State Representative Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton) applauded the announcement by Evers saying:
“Legislative Republicans have repeatedly refused to protect reproductive rights and repeal Wisconsin’s 1849 criminal abortion ban despite strong support by Wisconsinites for safe, legal access to abortion. Without representation from their elected officials, the people of Wisconsin have no process to reject existing state laws. This proposal would put the power back into the hands of the people.
“Abortion is healthcare and a majority of Wisconsinites are incredibly frustrated by the complete lack of action by my Republican colleagues to listen to their voices. I’m proud to stand with Governor Evers in creating a pathway to not only repeal Wisconsin’s criminal abortion ban but to give people a more direct voice in the governance of their state.”
