MADISON, Wis. – The holiday season is looking much different this year around the State Capitol because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With no tree in the rotunda this year, some lawmakers are taking matters into their own hands, but their efforts could soon be stopped.

With the State Capitol building still closed to the public because of the Coronavirus, the Department of Administration (DOA) decided to not spend taxpayer money on a holiday display they wouldn't be able to see, but State Rep. Shae Sortwell (R-Two Rivers) didn't want to see yet another beloved tradition passed over amid the pandemic.
 

Elevated view of the 35-foot tall Christmas tree heavily draped with tinsel standing in the rotunda of the Wisconsin State Capitol building. December 17, 1958. Photo courtesy of Wisconsin Historical Society.

“I would hate for next year, when hopefully we do have a big tree again, for us to say 'Well, you know we broke that hundred-year tradition and now we're starting over,'” Sortwell said.

So on Wednesday, Sortwell and other lawmakers set up an artificial tree in the rotunda of the Capitol, which was donated to them. Wisconsin Assembly Republicans put together the video below.

“I believe when things are tough, when people are having a hard time, it's even more important that we continue to have whatever we can to keep some semblance of normalcy,” Sortwell said.

There's an application process for putting up displays in the Capitol building, but the DOA, which is responsible for putting up the annual tree, stated in an email the agency doesn't need a permit to do so.
 

Email correspondence following-up the denial from Assistant Deputy Secretary Hwang to the two permit requesters.

“Because the Department of Administration, which is controlled by the governor, runs the Capitol building, and so they don't need to get permission to put up their own display,” Sortwell said. “Now, we decide to try to dot that 'I' or cross that 'T' just to try to make it simpler for them.”

Sortwell applied for a permit but it was denied.

DOA stated according to law, the agency doesn't have the authority to approve decorative items on the ground floor of the Capitol and that such requests have to be approved by the State Capitol and Executive Residence Board.

The permit was also denied because it wasn't submitted 72 hours in advance of the request and DOA isn't issuing any permits for interior displays while the building is closed to the public.

Now, Sortwell is hoping his tree doesn't get taken down.

“We're asking for nothing from the Department of Administration other than to do nothing, and if there is something the government is great at it's doing nothing, right? That's all we're asking for from them,” Sortwell said. “Just leave it alone and we'll take it down in a month.”
 

State Rep. Shae Sortwell (left) and State Rep. Paul Tittl (right) decorate the tree they brought into the rotunda of the Wisconsin State Capitol building. Photo courtesy of Wisconsin Legislature photographer Joe Koshollek.

Sortwell plans to appeal the denial of his permit application, though he believes one really isn't needed since DOA doesn't have to have one.

He claims the decision ultimately falls on Gov. Evers because he oversees the Department of Administration, but the agency said the governor cannot override the authority the legislature has given the State Capitol and Executive Residence Board to make those decisions.
 

Republican lawmakers put up artificial tree in the State Capitol. From left to right: State Rep. Shae Sortwell, State Rep. David Murphy, State Rep. Paul Tittl, and State Rep. Chuck Wichgers. Photo courtesy of Wisconsin Legislature photographer Joe Koshollek.

State Rep. Sortwell said if any children would like to send some ornaments for the tree, lawmakers will gladly add them to the display.