DOYLE DEFENDS DNR
Tuesday, May 10th, 2005 -- 2:50 PM
Governor Jim Doyle says allegations the DNR is misusing hunting and fishing license fees are untrue. Last week, area Representative Scott Suder, a Republican from Abbotsford, told us he planned to request an audit of the DNR. He said he was upset with the Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee for approving many of the fee increases proposed by the governor; furthermore, Suder said he believed the DNR wasn?t using the fees for sportsmen?s programs. In Hatfield on Saturday, Doyle defended the agency."That's about the most audited and watched fund in the whole state, because, believe me, the hunters and fishers in this state really make sure that's where the money is going," Doyle said.
Doyle noted his proposed increases were supported by ?every major hunting and fishing group in the state of Wisconsin?.
"(The fees) have not been raised in seven or eight years," Doyle said, adding the fees were necessary to maintain the state's status of a "great" hunting and fishing state.
"I don't think it's unreasonable to have fees go up four to five dollars."
Suder planned to request an audit of the DNR last week. As of Monday afternoon, he had not formally done so, but his legislative staff told us he planned to request the audit this week.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.