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Evers Vetoes Two Bills Authored by Local Legislators

Apr. 1, 2024 10p

(WGTD)---Gov. Evers has vetoed a pair of bills that were authored by area legislators.

One measure would've required the transportation department to install signs on I-94 in Racine County directing motorists to the Wind Point Lighthouse and Prairie School. 

According to a news release from State Sen. Van Wanggaard, the lighthouse is one of the oldest and tallest lighthouses on the Great Lakes and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The school is considered to be one of the greatest examples of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.

Wanggaard ridiculed the governor's decision, saying it's "disgusting" and "purely political." 

However, Evers said the proposal goes against the DOT's own policy on interstate signage that's derived from federal rules.

The other proposal would've required board members overseeing Wisconsin's technical colleges to be U.S. citizens.  Laws governing the technical colleges and the boards overseeing them date back to 1911, the year Gateway was founded. Lawmakers at the time required local boards be made up of a school superintendent, two employers and two employees but they left out any mention of citizenship. Members are appointed by the chairs of the county boards of counties that make up each district.

The bill was authored by St. Rep. Amanda Nedweski of Pleasant Prairie.

According to the organization that represents technical college board members, just one person would be affected by the change: Zaida Lange-Irisson of Gateway's board. Lange-Irrisson is a legal resident and is working toward becoming a citizen. 

In his veto message, Evers said the selection of board members should be left up to local officials.

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