Republicans' state Capitol Christmas tree removed


MADISON (WLUK) – A replacement Christmas tree in the Capitol rotunda was removed Tuesday, after guidelines to let it remain on display weren’t followed, according to the state.

With the Capitol closed to the public, Gov. Evers announced the annual Christmas tree display would not be installed. In reply, Reps. Paul Tittle and Shae Sortwell installed their own tree a week ago.

On Tuesday, Rep. Sortwell announced on social media it had been removed.

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According to documents obtained by FOX 11, the legislators were offered the ability to keep a tree on display, but it had to be moved to the first floor, instead being on the rotunda’s ground floor.

“I understand from Capitol Police that you chose not to take advantage of the opportunity to maintain your tree display on the first floor of the Rotunda, and as a result the display had to be removed this morning from the ground floor,” wrote Olivia Hwang, assistant deputy secretary for the Dept. of Administration.

“I encourage you to touch base with your colleague Rep. Loudenbeck, who chairs (State Capitol and Executive Residence Board), regarding your desire to display a tree on the ground floor of the Rotunda. Rep. Loudenbeck recently applied for and received a permit for a tree display on the first floor of the Rotunda; she may be interested in partnering with you for a tree display. You also have the right to display a tree or any other holiday decorations in your office or any other space controlled by the legislature such as the Assembly or Senate chambers,” Hwang added.

Rep. Sortwell said the alternative offered by the state was not acceptable.

"Because for over 100 years, the tradition has been to have the Capitol Christmas Tree in the middle of the rotunda. The Governor’s Department of Administration puts up a Christmas Tree every year in the middle of the rotunda without a permit, and when times are difficult, it is critically important that we hold onto our traditions," Sortwell told Fox 11.

The state is still accepting ornaments from students which would normally hang on the tree to be distributed to veterans’ home, hospitals and nursing homes.


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