Stephen Nass

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Rep. Stephen Nass (b. Oct. 7, 1952) is a Republican legislator representing the 31st District in the assembly since 1990. Nass is currently the chair of the Universities and Colleges committee of the assembly. Nass has been known as a vocal critic of the UW System, chastising them for what he sees as a lack of fiscal responsibility.


Nass is currently the chair of the Universities and Colleges Committee in the State Assembly.

Contents


Early Years

Nass served with the Air National Guard for 33 years, including a tour of duty in Operation Desert Storm.[1] After completing basic training, Nass enrolled at UW-Whitewater, where he earned his degree in political science. During that time, he worked as an intern for Sen. Al Lasee. Nass was first elected to the state Assembly in 1990.

Issues

Race-based School Logos, Nicknames, Etc.

Nass introduced a bill which would eliminate the complaint procedure for race-based nicknames, logos, mascots or team names at public schools. Under previous legislation, any complaint regarding race-based nicknames, logos, mascots or team names would have a case hearing scheduled with the school board. At the conclusion of such meetings, the Superintendent had the ultimate power decide whether the case would be dismissed, or the school would cease usage of all related items.[2] Nass' bill would eliminate this procedure, but notes that it still allows for individuals to file complaints based on personal racial discrimination.[3]

Opposition to Racial Admissions Policies

On February 22nd, 2007, the Badger Herald reported that Nass and fellow republican representative Glenn Grothman sent a letter[4] to Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen seeking a legal analysis of recent updates to the UW System admissions policies.[5] The controversial changes allowed race to be a factor considered when selecting new freshmen students for UW schools. Chancellor Biddy Martin noted, however, that new policy was not "race-based", but merely allowed for the consideration of race among other factors.[6] Nass was specifically concerned with whether the new policy violated Wisconsin Statute 36.11(3)(a)[7]. The attorney general's office confirmed that the new policy did not, in fact, violate the statue. Van Hollen warned, however, each applicant should "...be given individualized consideration under the admissions policy in order to comply with federal constitutional requirements."[8]

External Links

Notable Articles

Other Resources

References

  1. ↑ http://legis.wisconsin.gov/w3asp/contact/legislatorpages.aspx?house=Assembly&district=31&display=bio Wisconsin State Legislature 31st District Assembly biography, retrieved 2/14/2011
  2. ↑ http://nxt.legis.state.wi.us/nxt/gateway.dll?f=templates&fn=default.htm&d=stats&jd=118.134 Wisconsin Legistlature Data, Statute 118.134, retrieved 3/1/2011
  3. ↑ http://legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/data/AB-26.pdf, 2011 Assembly Bill 26, retrieved 3/1/2011
  4. ↑ http://www.doj.state.wi.us/ag/opinions/Rep_Nass-letter.pdf Department of Justice, copy of letter sent from Rep. Nass and received by the Attorney General's office, retrieved 3/1/2011
  5. ↑ http://www.badgerherald.com/news/2007/02/22/legislators_ask_is_u.php Legislators ask: Is UW admissions policy legal?
  6. ↑ http://www.wisconsin.edu/news/2007/r070208b.htm UW System News, Regent committee approves updated admissions policy, retrieve 3/1/2011
  7. ↑ http://nxt.legis.state.wi.us/nxt/gateway.dll?f=templates&fn=default.htm&d=stats&jd=36.11%20%283%29%28a%29 Wisconsin Legislature Data, Statue 36.11(3)(a), retrieved 3/1/2011
  8. ↑ http://www.doj.state.wi.us/absolutenm/templates/template_share.aspx?articleid=413&zoneid=5 Wisconsin Department of Justice, ATTORNEY GENERAL VAN HOLLEN CONCLUDES UW FRESHMAN ADMISSION POLICY DOES NOT EMPLOY UNLAWFUL RACIAL TESTS -- BUT CAUTIONS UW TO ENSURE INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT OF EACH APPLICANT, retrieved 3/11/2011
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