It's Not Easy Being Green

A Look Back at Politics in the State Capitol

The 1995-96 Legislative Session represents a black mark on Wisconsin's green reputation. For the first time in 25 years, the Republicans were in control of two houses and, with a decidedly anti-environmental Governor, the public got rolled.

The 1995-96 session promised to provide property tax relief and reduce the size of government. Whether this goal will be achieved is disputed by many (including the Taxpayers Alliance). For Decade members, any tax relief comes at the expense of slashing environmental programs and policies which, in our opinion, save money by preventing pollution. For example, the budget cut the Sustainable Agriculture Program which was an innovative model, providing grants to farmers to highlight farming practices that reduced pesticides and developed alternative crops and markets. This program cost the state money but was an investment in finding solutions to a pesticide dependent agricultural system.

The budget was also a lesson in dirty secrets; closed caucuses and secret deals poisoned the public process. When the budget was approved by both houses and signed into law, the public had little if any knowledge about the changes included nor a forum to air their positions. For example, a 450 page "Super-amendment" was introduced less than 12 hours before the amendment was voted on.

Losses in the budget included:

• gutting of the Public Intervenor's Office
• eliminating citizen oversight of the DNR Secretary
• cutting lead poisoning prevention programs
• weakening compliance by private septic systems with state drinking water laws
• eliminating the Sustainable Agriculture Program
• eliminating the radioactive waste advisory board

The silver lining in this cloudy year was the defeat of several items in the Governor's budget which, had they been passed, would have made things even worse. These defensive victories included (with thanks to Sen. Robert Cowles who was the key defender in Joint Finance):

• keeping the state's park system under the management of the DNR
• retaining shoreland zoning laws requiring a 75 foot building setback.
• defeating the Governor's Environmental Science Council
• preserving the DNR board's authority
• restoring funding for the environmental education board which theGovernor had cut
• blocking elimination of the Dept. of Transportation's requirement to prepare Environmental Impact Statements for transportation plans and programs

One final bit of light that grew out of the dismal legislative session was the creation of the Wisconsin Stewardship Network. Borne out of the collective losses suffered in the budget, a group of conservation and environmental groups from across the state have pledged to work together to strengthen Wisconsin's voice at the state capitol on issues affecting our natural resources. If we successfully build this alliance, we will see more attention paid to our concerns in future years.

- Pam Porter