Despite Unanimous Supreme Court Ruling, State of Wisconsin Still Opposes Granting Catholic Charities Exemption
|
| In a victory for religious liberty, on June 5, the WCC celebrated the unanimous U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) decision in Catholic Charities Bureau v. Wisconsin Labor & Industry Review Commission. SCOTUS unanimously held that Wisconsin had violated the First Amendment when it determined that the Diocese of Superior Catholic Charities Bureau (CCB) was not operated “primarily for religious purposes” and as such could not receive an exemption from the state unemployment program.
After SCOTUS reversed and remanded the case, the Wisconsin Supreme Court (SCOWIS), in a surprise move, ordered full briefing on the proper remedy. The State of Wisconsin now argues that SCOWIS may either grant CCB the exemption or consider nullifying the religious exemption altogether. However, CCB insists that SCOTUS was clear: the State violated the First Amendment in the first place. Thus, CCB argues that the proper remedy is for it to receive the exemption. Furthermore, CCB maintains that eliminating the exemption would constitute further religious discrimination against it.
The WCC has filed another amicus brief in support of CCB. There is no set timeline for the case after that, as SCOWIS could order another round of oral arguments or just decide the remedy based on the briefs. |
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin Resumes Abortions
|
| Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin has resumed performing abortions after a brief pause in October. To continue to abort preborn children in Wisconsin, Planned Parenthood gave up its designation as an “essential community provider” under the Affordable Care Act. The federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act restricted Medicaid funding from going to organizations that perform abortions and receive over $800,000 in Medicaid reimbursements and Planned Parenthood believes that relinquishing this designation will sidestep that restriction. |
WCC Urges Lawmakers to Fund FoodShare
On October 29, the WCC signed on to a letter urging Wisconsin lawmakers to ensure funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, often called “food stamps” and known as FoodShare in Wisconsin). The gap in funding is driven by the federal budget reconciliation bill which shifted SNAP costs to states and added work requirements for adults through age 64. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is asking the Legislature to provide greater funding for FoodShare administrative costs and the FoodShare Employment and Training (FSET) program, which is designed to help program participants train for and find employment. The regular funding for SNAP ended on November 1. |
|
|
| Additionally, the ongoing government shutdown is putting SNAP in further jeopardy. Today, the Trump administration announced that it will send partial payments this month to those on SNAP, but acknowledged there would be a delay due to the ongoing shutdown. |
|
| In Wisconsin, Governor Evers declared a state of emergency and “a period of abnormal economic disruption” due to the ongoing federal government shutdown and a lapse in FoodShare benefits. The order directs state agencies to take “any and all necessary and appropriate measures” and to suspend any administrative rules if they would “prevent, hinder, or delay necessary actions to respond to the emergency.” It also “direct[s] the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to enforce prohibitions against price gouging.”
Christ implores us in the Gospels to feed the hungry and care for the poor. If you or someone you know is in need, please reach out to your local St. Vincent de Paul, Catholic Charities, or Catholic parish to be connected with local resources that may be able to provide assistance. However, while the Catholic Church and non-governmental organizations can and do provide assistance, the government cannot abdicate its responsibility to help those most in need. Therefore, please fill out this USCCB action alert, urging Congress to end the government shutdown and ensure those experiencing hunger are able to get the help they need. |
|
Antisemitism Definition ▲ Testified in support
SB 445 (Rob Hutton, R-Brookfield) / AB 446 (Ron Tusler, R-Harrison)
The bill creates a definition of antisemitism for purposes of laws, ordinances, policies, or criminal penalty enhancers concerning discrimination based on race, religion, color, or national origin. Here in Wisconsin, the Jewish community has seen an increase of over 450 percent in antisemitic incidents since 2015. Jewish synagogues, schools, community centers, and other Jewish organizations have been threatened and vandalized. As a result, Wisconsin’s Jewish community ends up paying millions of dollars in enhanced security to protect its members. The Catholic Church opposes antisemitism in all its forms. Watch the testimony on WisEye here.
Status: Since the public hearing, the Assembly committee has taken no further action.
Substitute Teaching ▲ Registered in support
SB 526 (John Jagler, R-Watertown) / AB 518 (William Penterman, R-Hustisford)
The bill allows individuals who hold a substitute teaching permit to substitute teach at private schools participating in a parental choice program. Public schools already permit this so the bill aligns parental choice program schools with public schools.
Status: Since the public hearing, the Assembly committee has taken no further action.
Drone Operation ▲ Registered in support
SB 519 (Jesse James, R-Thorp) / AB 530 (Joel Kitchens, R-Sturgeon Bay)
The bill prevents drones from being flown over a school without permission of the school district/governing board or with certain exceptions (e.g. police chief can allow it for active manhunt).
Status: Since the public hearings, the committees have taken no further action.
Governor Evers Signs Cell Phone Ban in Schools, Takes Action on Other Bills. On October 31, Governor Evers took action on 20 bills, signing some into law while vetoing others. Of note, he signed a bipartisan bill that would ban cell phone and mobile device use in public schools (2025 Wisconsin Act 42). Read more about all the bills here. |
Updates from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
To take action on the USCCB’s current federal action alerts, click here. |
Legislative Resources
Find the WCC’s session priorities, legislative committees, contact info for your legislators, and more.
|
|
|
|
