MADISON, WI… Wisconsin is one step closer to adopting English as the official state language.
Authored by State Senator André Jacque (New Franken) and Representative Dave Murphy (Hortonville), Assembly Bill 377, which would make English the official state language, passed the Assembly Committee on Science, Technology and AI today on a vote of 4 to 2.
“AB 377 recognizes the foundational role that English plays in civic participation, government accountability, and economic opportunity,” said Jacque. “This bill is not about exclusion, but a practical and unifying measure aimed at encouraging immigrants to become active participants in American civic life.”
Surveys have consistently shown widespread public support for making English the official language. A Rasmussen poll early this year found that 73% of voters supported making English the official language, including 93% of Republicans, 61% of Democrats and 63% of independents. Similarly, a Pew Research Center found 72% support, with 51% saying it is “extremely” or “very” important to make English the official language.
Outside of requiring that all government business be conducted in English, the AB 377 also allows for the use of technology as a way to help implement the new policy while providing cost saving to local governments and the court system. Under current law, governments and courts are frequently mandated to provide an interpreter in various circumstances. This bill will allow governments to use rapidly improving A.I. technology to assist with translation, and to use programs such as Zoom to avoid the unnecessary expense of flying in an interpreter.
“Particularly in our rural counties, where local governments may have to spend considerable taxpayer funds to accommodate immigrants who are not yet fluent in English, this legislation will help reduce costs by taking advantage of emerging technology,” said Jacque.
Thirty other states have enacted similar legislation. The bill now goes to the full Assembly for a vote, and must pass both legislative chambers before moving to the governor’s desk for a signature.
Senator André Jacque represents Northeast Wisconsin’s First Senate District, consisting of Door, Kewaunee and Calumet Counties and portions of Brown, Manitowoc, and Outagamie counties.
