The full State Senate endorsed restoring independence to the DNR by once again making the Department Secretary an appointee of the Natural Resources Board.
 

The 20-13 vote on Senate Bill 3 came on Tuesday, February 13.  Two Republicans, joined all of the Senate's Democrats in supporting the measure.  "This is a great victory," says Caryl Terrell, of the Sierra Club and the WSN's legislative monitor in the state capitol.  The bill now heads to the Assembly for possible action.
 

"The new Governor just showed how important it is for us to restore the independence of the DNR Secretary," notes Terrell.  "Even though he said George Meyer was doing a good job, he fired him."
 

The importance of the two Republicans  - Robert Cowles (Green Bay) and Dale Schultz (Richland Center) - adds credibility to the bipartisan effort aimed at restoring DNR independence.  A survey before last fall's election by the WSN indicates a number of Republicans in the Assembly would join with most Democrats to pass the DNR bill.
 

Terrell says it is especially important for members of the public to contact their legislators in the Assembly and request a hearing on SB3 - the DNR independence bill - and call upon the Republican Assembly leadership to let their members vote their conscience.  Otherwise, she explains, the bill could die even though it appears to enjoy the support of a clear majority in the Assembly.

back to the Wisconsin Stewardship Network home page