Wisconsin Bill Targets Race-Based Ed Programs

- The bill, identified as Senate Bill 652, passed the Republican-controlled Wisconsin Assembly on February 12, 2026, with a party-line vote of 53-45. It now heads to Governor Tony Evers, who is expected to veto the measure. - The legislation would replace considerations of race and ethnicity in state-funded financial aid and recruitment programs with the criterion of being "disadvantaged." The bill defines a "disadvantaged" student as someone who has experienced unfavorable economic, familial, or other personal hardships. - Proponents, like Republican Rep. Jim Piwowarczyk, argue the bill "modernizes" aid by focusing on socioeconomic factors rather than race. Opponents, such as Democratic Rep. Supreme Moore Omokunde, have condemned it as a "ridiculous, racist, culture war bill." - Specific programs that would be impacted include the state's minority teacher loan program and retention grants that currently support students from specific racial and ethnic backgrounds. For instance, a program that forgives loans for minority students who teach in districts with at least 40% minority enrollment would be altered to focus on "economically disadvantaged" pupils in districts with 60% economically disadvantaged enrollment. - This legislative action follows the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that ended race-conscious admissions practices, although that decision did not explicitly address financial aid. - The push to eliminate race-based programs is part of a larger conflict in Wisconsin, where Republican lawmakers have also withheld pay raises for Universities of Wisconsin employees to pressure the system into cutting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. - Governor Evers has a history of vetoing bills that he views as targeting marginalized groups, including a 2022 bill related to concepts of systemic racism in schools. His spokesperson has indicated he would veto this current bill.