Pushing for change at DNR

From the Milw Journal Sentinel

Since 1995, the power to appoint the Department of Natural Resources secretary has been in the hands of the governor. And environmentalists have complained about it ever since.

...In the past, bills to allow the seven-member Natural Resources Board to hire and fire the DNR chief have foundered.

But the measure is getting more traction with a big push by hunting and fishing groups.

..."We are getting people in there who don't know a walleye from a carp," said Paul Kruse, president of the Green Bay chapter of Trout Unlimited. He added that he was not speaking for the organization.


...McCallum was the first governor to replace a DNR secretary after Gov. Tommy G. Thompson proposed that the governor name the secretary.

Thompson had support from two former Democratic governors - Tony Earl, who served as DNR secretary, and Patrick Lucey. They said having the secretary in the cabinet would lead to greater accountability and better management of government.

...At the time of his departure, Hassett said he had grown weary of the pace and the ceremonial aspects of being a DNR secretary.

..Doyle's fervor to change the law appears to have waned since he has become governor.

As attorney general he said, "I see this as a wholesale attack on the way we protect the environment. I think we're playing with fire here."

As governor, Doyle has said he will sign the legislation if it gets to his desk - but he has never championed it.
__________________________________

PREVIOUS POST