MILWAUKEE: This past Sunday, Spectrum News In Focus reviewed the proposed Constitutional Amendments, including the third Anti-Discrimination question, which would have wide-ranging effects on existing state programs and future policy priorities. In response to this discussion, Sen. Dora Drake joins the Chair of the Black Caucus of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, Nick Truog, in releasing the following statements:
Sen. Dora Drake: “My Republican colleagues spent 15 years failing to solve problems as women and children lost their lives and opportunities because of how they were born; now they want to amend our Constitution to justify their immoral inaction.” Senator Drake ended by saying, “If the content of your character justifies ignoring the deaths of women and children at disproportionate rates, because they are a different skin color than you, then you clearly misunderstood the lessons of Dr. Martin Luther King.”
Nick Truog: “If Tom Tiffany and legislative Republicans have their way this November, the health and wellbeing of Wisconsinites will be in danger. Our elected officials have a duty to keep us all healthy, safe and educated regardless of your background, once again Republicans are showing Wisconsin that they do not care about all of us.”
These statements follow Sen. Drake’s comments with Spectrum News calling this amendment misleading, noting that not only is discrimination already illegal, but this amendment would prevent the government from solving existing issues by labeling it as preferential treatment.
“If this were to pass, as a lawmaker, I can’t put funding to ensure Black Babies and Mothers don’t die in childbirth, especially in Wisconsin, when they are 5 times more likely to do that.” Sen. Drake also added that, “As lawmakers, we couldn’t do anything to target issues on literacy and achievement gaps for white and Black children in our schools.” She went on to share that many programs meant to keep women healthy and safe would also be affected including Women’s Health Block, Health Disparity and Domestic Abuse Survivor grants.
Republican Senator Eric Wimberger, on the other hand, believes existing data regarding health and education shouldn’t be considered. When expressing frustration on how race and sex are reflected in disparities, Senator Wimberger believes that it has “been twisted all around to look at results rather than the process itself.” Wimberger went on to say, “We need to reaffirm our values and not look at immutable characteristics, but rather the content of someone’s character.”
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin Black Caucus joins a coalition of organizations advocating for voters to vote no on this amendment, while Tom Tiffany and Republicans call it “common sense.” Nick Truog the Chair of the Black Caucus affirmed Senator Drake’s position in a “no” position on the third amendment to ensure the health and safety of all Wisconsinites regardless of their background.
