- Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is defending a budget proposal that would replace terms like “mother” with “inseminated person” in state law. The change aims to make the law more inclusive, especially in cases involving artificial insemination.
- The proposal has drawn criticism from Republicans, including the Republican Governors Association, who call it a “woke” move.
- Evers’ budget is currently under review in the state Senate.
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Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is defending his decision to include a proposal in his state budget that would change common terms in state law, including replacing “mother” with “inseminated person.” The move has sparked backlash from critics who view it as part of a “woke” social agenda.
What is the proposed change?
Evers’ budget covers the 2025-2027 fiscal period. It includes changes to Wisconsin statutes that would replace references to “mother” and “father” with terms like “person” or “spouse.”
The proposal specifically addresses artificial insemination and has generated strong reactions, particularly regarding the removal of the word “mother.”
The Republican Governors Association quickly denounced the proposal. The group called it an attempt to push a progressive agenda on Wisconsin.
Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly Robin Vos, R-Rochester, also criticized the move. He said it had turned the state into a “national embarrassment.”
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, weighed in on the controversy. Musk posted on X, saying, “Hi Mom, I mean inseminated person. This is crazy.”
Gov. Evers explains decision
Despite the backlash, Gov. Evers stands by his decision. He argues that the changes are aimed at making state law more inclusive and reflective of all families.
“What the Republicans say is a lie, so I am pretty PO’ed about that,” Evers said, addressing the criticism. “All this does, it gives people a chance that are using IVF, which I think Republicans are kind of okay with.”
Evers explained the proposed changes would only apply to situations involving artificial insemination, ensuring state law is more representative of diverse family structures. He also suggested the possibility of introducing a stand-alone bill to clarify the proposal and address misconceptions raised by opponents.
Future of proposal
Evers’ budget proposal is now under review in the state Senate and its passage is uncertain. The proposal conflicts with President Donald Trump’s executive order against gender ideology. Trump’s directive, which recognizes only two sexes, male and female, could complicate efforts to pass the budget as currently written.
