Wisconsin Supreme Court Hears Case Regarding DNR Board Member

Monday, March 14th, 2022 -- 9:01 AM

(AP) The Wisconsin Supreme Court’s swing justice appeared skeptical Thursday about whether to remove a conservative Department of Natural Resources board member who refuses to step down even though his term ended almost a year ago.

Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul sued in August to oust Fred Prehn from the board. The case could determine environmental policy for at least the next several years and raises broad questions about whether gubernatorial appointees can hold onto their positions indefinitely if the state Senate refuses to confirm their successors.

It’s also an example of the partisanship that grips the Capitol. The Republican-controlled Senate just adjourned its two-year session without holding a hearing on Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ appointee, effectively preserving the DNR board’s one-vote conservative majority.

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