A local legislator calls herself a supporter of free speech on campus in light of a bill authored by the Assembly Speaker that would require the UW system discipline hecklers at speeches and presentations. Representative Amy Loudenbeck says the bill appears “pure” in regards to protecting free speech for everyone. The Republican says she supports student rights to free speech as long as balance is allowed. Under the bill, the regents would have to adopt a freedom-of-expression policy stating U-W schools shouldn’t shield people from speech and institutions should remain neutral on public policy issues. The policy would also include a range of punishments for people who engage in boisterous, unreasonably loud, or disorderly conduct that interferes with others’ free expression.
