DNR board member’s fight to extend term cost taxpayers $76K

MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin taxpayers spent about $76,000 to fund a state Division of Pure Assets coverage board member’s authorized combat to stay on the board after his time period expired, a information outlet reported Wednesday.

The Wisconsin State Journal stated it had obtained invoices via an open data request detailing state funds to Fred Prehn’s legal professional, Mark Macioek, between October 2021 and February 2022.

Former Republican Gov. Scott Walker appointed Prehn to the board in 2015. His time period expired in Might 2021 however he refused to step right down to make approach for Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ appointee, Sandra Naas. Prehn argued he did not want to go away till the state Senate confirmed Naas. Republicans who management the Senate have but to schedule a vote on Naas’ appointment.

Democratic Legal professional Common Josh Kaul filed a lawsuit looking for a courtroom order forcing Prehn off the board. The conservative-leaning state Surpeme Court docket dominated in Prehn’s favor in June.

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After his time period ended, Prehn solid the deciding vote to extend the state wolf hunt quota and to scrap proposed limits on chemical substances often called PFAS in groundwater. Earlier this month, although, he was a part of a unanimous board determination to restart the method to ascertain limits, a challenge that can take years to finish.

Prehn introduced final week that he’ll resign from the board Friday. He stated it was time for the Senate to vote on Naas.