Scott Walker appointee Fred Prehn resigns from Wisconsin DNR board

Fred Prehn, who gained a lawsuit in search of to oust him from the Pure Sources Board after his time period led to Could 2021, knowledgeable Gov. Tony Evers of his intent to resign in a letter obtained by The Related Press. Prehn stated his resignation will take impact Dec. 30.

“It’s time for the state legislators to behave on Governor Evers nomination as quickly as sensible and it’s now time for me to maneuver on,” Prehn wrote.

Evers’ spokesperson Britt Cudaback had no quick touch upon the resignation.

Prehn, a Wausau dentist, was appointed by Walker in 2015. He refused to step down after his time period ended, denying Evers’ appointee Sandra Naas a seat and sustaining a 4-3 majority for Republican appointees.

Prehn, after his time period ended, forged the deciding vote to extend the quota for the state’s wolf hunt and to scrap limits of so-called perpetually chemical compounds in groundwater. Earlier this month, Prehn was a part of a unanimous vote to restart the method of setting PFAS limits, a course of that can take years to finish.

The Republican-controlled Senate refused to substantiate Naas, and Prehn argued he did not have to go away his seat till his substitute was confirmed. Democratic Lawyer Normal Josh Kaul sued in search of to pressure Prehn off the board, however the conservative-controlled Supreme Courtroom dominated in June that political appointees haven’t got to go away their posts till the Senate confirms their successor.

“I’ve all the time stated I’ll vacate my seat when the Senate confirms my substitute or after I select to take action,” Prehn stated in his resignation letter. “Sadly, it took the Supreme Courtroom to substantiate my determination to remain on at nice expense for the taxpayer and an immense private value.”

Prehn’s substitute is certainly one of dozens of Evers appointees the Senate refused to substantiate. However after Evers gained reelection in November, Republican Senate Majority Chief Devin LeMahieu stated he anticipated the Evers picks to obtain up-or-down votes subsequent 12 months.