A bill to take politics out of the DNR is advancing in the Legislature.
The Assembly Natural Resources Committee has approved a measure taking away the Governor's authority to appoint the head of the agency. Instead, the secretary would be named by a committee of citizens.
State Representative Spencer Black (D-Madison) supports the measure. He says the decision by the head of the DNR should be made based on sound environmental science, not because of politics.
Black is hopeful opposition from Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce will not hold up passage in the Assembly. The state Senate has already approved a similar measure.