Uppity Wisconsin
Making Wisconsin Progressive Again
From WLCV - Independent DNR Secretary Bill progresses
Wed, 09/02/2009 - 4:11pm | Steve Hanson
For Immediate Release: Contact: Anne Sayers
September 2, 2009 (608) 661-0845, (608) 658-0186 cell anne
conservationvoters [dot] org
conservationvoters [dot] orgIndependent DNR Secretary Advances in the Assembly
Madison- Today, Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters applauded the bi-partisan passage of AB 138, the bill to restore an independent DNR Secretary, in the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources.
For nearly 70 years, the citizen-based Natural Resources Board selected the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources. They chose the leader of natural resource management in Wisconsin based on a review of their natural resource knowledge and management experience. In 1995, that process was changed to allow the Governor to appoint the DNR Secretary.
Removing political influence from natural resource policy-making was recently selected as one of four Conservation Priorities by Wisconsin’s conservation community. In February, state legislators received a copy of the Wisconsin Conservation Priorities 2009-2010, which was prepared by more than 80 organizations representing tens of thousands of conservationists.
Conservationists statewide have enthusiastically voiced support for the independent DNR Secretary throughout this session’s legislative process. Nearly 400 citizens have testified, registered or submitted testimony in support of AB 138 and its companion bill, SB 113.
The ten Committee members voting in favor of AB 138 were Representatives Black, Clark, Danou, Hebl, Hraychuck, Mason, Milroy, Molepske, Mursau, and Nerison.
Despite being co-sponsors of a bill to restore an independent DNR Secretary last session, Representatives Gunderson, Huebsch, and LeMahieu voted against the policy this year. Representative Jim Ott, who voted for the policy in Committee last year, voted against AB 138 today.
Representative Steinbrink was absent from today’s Committee meeting.
AB 138 is now available for a vote in the full Assembly. The Senate Transportation, Tourism, Forestry and Natural Resources Committee will vote on SB 113, the companion bill tomorrow at 9:00 am.
