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Evers goes back to calling Capitol evergreen ‘holiday tree’

Posted at 10:53 AM, Nov 08, 2019
and last updated 2019-11-08 12:16:03-05

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers has gone back to calling the state Capitol Christmas tree a holiday tree, reigniting an old fight over what to call the evergreen.

Wisconsin politicians began referring to the tree as a holiday tree in 1985. Former Republican Gov. Scott Walker declared the tree a Christmas tree in 2011, drawing the ire of the Madison-based Freedom from Religion Foundation.

Evers called the tree a holiday tree Friday. He announced that the tree’s theme will be “Celebrate Science” and asked schoolchildren to submit science-related ornaments for the tree.

Evers spokeswoman Melissa Baldauff didn’t immediately respond to an email asking why the governor has gone back to calling the tree a holiday tree.