Wisconsin Assembly passes campus free speech bill

The Milwaukee Journal reports:

Lawmakers late Wednesday voted to crack down on University of Wisconsin System students who disrupt other people's speeches and events, pitting one set of free speech concerns against another.

Republicans who control the state Legislature are pushing Assembly Bill 299 to protect conservative voices on campus. The Assembly sent the bill to the state Senate on a 61-36 vote Wednesday night, with Republican Rep. Bob Gannon of West Bend joining all Democrats in opposing the bill.

"Today we are ensuring that simply because you are a young adult on a college campus, your constitutional rights do not go away," lead sponsor Rep. Jesse Kremer (R-Kewaskum) said. "Around the country we've had situations that have gotten to the point of demonstration shout downs and we do not want to get to that point in Wisconsin."

Critics argue the bill isn't needed in Wisconsin and would actually hinder freedom of speech by suspending or expelling students.

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