Heidi Wegleitner, a Dane County supervisor, called for the Pledge of Allegiance to be removed from the order of events for the county’s board meetings.
According to a report from the Wisconsin State Journal, the elected leader claimed the tradition was “divisive” and also advocated to remove the word “prayer” from the board rules.
“It just doesn’t feel like it’s appropriate for us to be doing, when in a pluralistic society we want to be inclusive and representative,” Wegleitner said in an interview with the news outlet. “At the end of the day, I think it’s divisive.”
Wegleitner, a supervisor for District 2, is running for re-election this year and vowed to propose the measure to the newly-elected members after the April 5 election, who will have the final say on the provision.
According to her campaign website, she “has worked as a public interest attorney representing low-income tenants in eviction cases and subsidized housing disputes” and is “bargaining unit co-chair for the United Legal Workers, National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW 2320, and has been a delegate to the South Central Federation of Labor.”
Previously, in a separate election, she gained the endorsement of the Madison, Wisconsin chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America.
“Heidi Wegleitner has been a steadfast supporter of labor and tenant rights, authoring legislation to recognize housing as a human right and pursuing fare-free transit & a climate action plan, among other positions in alignment with MADSA’s platform,” the group explained.
Heidi Wegleitner has been a steadfast supporter of labor and tenant rights, authoring legislation to recognize housing as a human right and pursuing fare-free transit & a climate action plan, among other positions in alignment with MADSA’s platform. https://t.co/moLNoalCvE
— DSA Madison (@DSAMadison) March 5, 2020
Many pushed back on the idea that the pledge is “divisive.” Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Rebecca Kleefisch blasted the comments.
“I guess Dane County liberals don’t want ‘liberty and justice for all.’ What a joke,” she said in a tweet.
I guess Dane County liberals don't want "liberty and justice for all." What a joke.https://t.co/PZrX5tmomE
— Rebecca Kleefisch (@RebeccaforReal) March 22, 2022
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Wisconsin Daily Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Heidi Mayree Wegleitner” by Heidi Mayree Wegleitner.
This County Board Supervisor seemingly is a bit full of herself. Understand County Boards in Wisconsin aren’t like county boards in other states. For example, in California, each county board has 5 members representing a large area and huge constituency. They are paid in excess of $125,000 per year with full benefits. Wisconsin Boards, on the other hand, are huge in size with each member representing few. The members have very little authority with positions usually filled by those having retired. Dane County, for the woman in this article, has 37 members. Salaries are around $1,000 per year devoid any benefits with a per diem of $50 paid per board meeting. As a consequence, the Wisconsin positions do not attract very qualified, informed or influential people. In short, don’t give this misguided woman much thought, she speaks for very few.