MADISON, WI (WSAU) — The State Assembly has passed a measure that would require all public sporting events played at facilities constructed with taxpayer money begin with a playing of the national anthem.
The measure, currently known as Assembly Bill 226, recently passed the bipartisan Assembly Committee on State Affairs on a 12-0 vote. Tuesday’s vote in the Assembly was 74-22.
It has drawn criticism from some who called it a form of forced patriotism, but co-author Patrick Testin previously told WSAU news that the measure does not require spectator participation, only that the opportunity is there for those who want to salute the flag.
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Testin released the following statement after Tuesday’s vote: “It’s reasonable to expect that venues constructed with taxpayer dollars show the same respect for our country that we require in our schools and in the State Capitol,” noted Senator Testin. “I’m encouraged by the broad support for this bill, and I will continue to work for the its passage.”
The measure comes with no penalties or punishments, and according to Testin doesn’t even require that the participating teams be on the sidelines at the time the anthem is played.
If passed and signed into law, the measure would cover all events at all venues built with any form of state or local taxpayer money. That includes Lambeau Field in Green Bay and Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee all the way down to local youth and adult sports complexes such as those that host high school baseball or bar-league softball games.
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