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• Bill to protect military funerals goes to Gov

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By Shawn Johnson, Wisconsin Public Radio

Wisconsin may be the first state to ban protests directly outside of military funerals and it may also be the first state to get sued over the issue.

Thursday night state lawmakers sent Gov. Jim Doyle a bill that would keep people from protesting right outside a funeral.

"I applaud the Legislature for passing it on a bipartisan, and nearly unanimous, basis," Doyle said.

On the fast-track, the measure cleared the full Legislature just a day after it got its first public hearing. 

It would make protestors stay at least 500 feet away from a funeral site an hour before and after a funeral ceremony.

It's aimed at members of the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church, who've traveled around the country protesting at military funerals.  The Church thinks God is killing the soldiers to punish America for its acceptance of homosexuality.

GOP Assembly sponsor Rep. Terry Musser, Black River Falls, acknowledges the plan will probably face a legal challenge on First Amendment grounds, but he thinks it's worth the risk, adding it's important to protect people at their most vulnerable time when they're burying a loved one.

But some worry that lawmakers are acting as censors or "thought police." Superior Democrat Rep. Frank Boyle says he hates the people who've protested at these military funerals, but he thinks restricting their rights erodes the very freedom that soldiers are fighting for: the freedom to demonstrate and to express an opinion.

Gov. Jim Doyle has promised to sign the plan once it reaches his desk. 

"It is unfortunate that a bill like this one is even necessary, but the families of fallen Wisconsin troops deserve to have dignity and privacy at such a difficult time.  When SB 525 reaches my desk I will sign it," Doyle said.

According to Anne Lupardus, Doyle's spokesperson there has not been a date set as to when the governor will sign the legislation.

At least five other states are considering similar bans.