Governor Scott Walker has signed legislation repealing the controversial earn-a-buck program.
The rule imposed by the DNR required hunters in certain parts of the state to kill an antlerless deer before they could take a buck. While the agency backed off from the rule this year, Governor Walker says it’s important for hunters to know it will not come back in the future.
Opponents of the repeal argue the rule is needed to effectively control deer populations. Environmental groups and others worry the ban could result in damage to agricultural land and timber supplies in the state of the size of the deer herd grows too large.
Also on Friday, the governor signed legislation that allows uncased and unloaded weapons to be transported in a vehicle, and allows weapons to be used from stationary vehicles. Walker says the measure will make it easier for hunters to move across pieces of property without having to pack away a weapon.
Governor Walker also signed one of the first special session bills to make it to his desk. The legislation brings Wisconsin into compliance with federal law regarding the tax treatment of health care coverage for an adult child on a parent’s insurance. The change makes it so employers no longer need to add the fair market value of a health insurance benefit to an employee’s income.
While Walker says it may not seem like the measure will add jobs directly, he says the bill was one of several such changes included in his special session call that will help improve the overall business climate of the state and encourage the private sector to create jobs.
Walker says he plans to sign more special session bills next week. The Legislature wrapped up its fall session early Friday morning, after passing 14 of the 26 bills the governor asked them to act on.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (1:19)