MADISON – Senate Democrats released the following statement:
“As Republicans continue their efforts to attack the Universities of Wisconsin and use their position to divide our state, Senate Democrats will not abandon our principles in response to a manufactured crisis being used to further a divisive agenda.
“Diversity, equity, and inclusion are an essential part of our state’s strength. We challenge Republicans to identify why they oppose a diverse, equitable, and inclusive state.
“Students and educators deserve a campus environment that is welcoming, understanding, and reflective of their own experiences. Workers deserve their raises. Wisconsinites deserve state-of-the-art institutions of higher education. No one should have their livelihood threatened and education degraded in service of a damaging political agenda.
“It is shameful that Republicans in the legislature continue to sow division and stoke culture wars. Negotiating behind closed doors to undermine initiatives that support underrepresented communities is unacceptable and hurts our state. The political maneuvering that created this crisis is a failure of leadership that should not be allowed to continue.
“Legislative Republicans think that dividing our state is the best way forward. Senate Democrats know that our state will reject these attempts to pit Wisconsinites against one another. We are united in our commitment to supporting our students, staff, and world-class universities. We will fight to ensure that every Wisconsinite has a fair shot and that the policies of our state reflect the strength of our diversity.”
