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Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022

Does the Evers administration refer to the Wisconsin state Capitol tree as a ‘Holiday Tree’?

Hope Karnopp, Wisconsin Watch
yes

In 2019, Gov. Tony Evers began referring to the tree on display in the Capitol Rotunda as the "State Capitol Holiday Tree," dropping the "Christmas " title. 

The state began using the "holiday" title in 1985 to avoid perceptions that it was endorsing any religion, the Associated Press reported. 

Republican Gov. Scott Walker reinstated the "Christmas" title. Evers, a Democrat, reversed the name. 

"It's a holiday season for a whole bunch of people in the state of Wisconsin, even those that aren't part of the Christian faith. I think it's a more inclusive thing," Evers told TMJ4. 

Republicans, including Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, have continued referring to the towering timber as the "Capitol Christmas Tree."

In 2019, all Republicans and four Democrats in the state Assembly voted to change the name to "Wisconsin State Christmas Tree" but the measure died in the Senate.

See a full discussion of this at Wisconsin Watch

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