WisPolitics Budget Blog

Rep. Scott Suder's motion to specify that no more than 10 percent of Stewardship Fund lands purchased in any fiscal year may be smaller than 10 acres failed 7-9, with Sen. Darling voting with committee Democrats.

A second Suder motion to authorize the DNR to contract with non-profit conseration organizations, land trusts and private companies to perform land management activities on DNR properties passed 16-0.

Labels: DNR, Stewardship_Fund, Suder

The motion to bring legislative oversight to the Stewardship Fund failed 8-8 on a party-line vote.

Labels: DNR, Stewardship_Fund

Rep. Meyer moves to require legislative oversight of the Stewardship Fund, saying the state is spending far too much on acquiring land. (budget paper 557)

Owning property is part of the American Dream, Meyer said. "But I didn't know it was the state's dream to buy up everything that isn't already owned in northern Wisconsin."

Sen. Bob Jauch said the motion is "really be designed to hurt the program, not help," Jauch said.

Labels: DNR, Stewardship_Fund

A motion from GOP Reps. Vos, Kestell and Stone, and Dem Rep. Colon regarding budget paper 556 regarding stewardship earmarks is now on the floor.

The motion would adopt the governor's recommendation, but would also provide money from the Stewardship Fund for three projects provided the recipient pays $1 for every $3 in state funding.

The projects:

- $500,000 to Vernon County to restory Jersey Valley Lake.

- $1 million to The Conservation Fund for property acquisition for the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District Greenseams flood management program and for habitat restoration for lands acquired under the program.

- $875,800 to Green Bay for the acquisition of property to be developed into a recreational trail.

In addition, the motion authorizes the DNR to expend bonding authority from either the land acquisition or the property developomnt and local assistance subprogram.

Sen. Decker said it was "ironic" that three sponsors of the motion voted against reauthorization of the Stewardship Fund.

Stone later pointed out that the money is being spent in this budget, so there is nothing inconsistent with the members voting not to extend reauthorization past 2010.

The earmark motion passed 16-0.

Labels: DNR, Stewardship_Fund

After a Republican motion to delete the increases failed 8-8. See the schedule of increases in budget paper 568.

Labels: DNR

The committee moves swiftly through DNR papers. Among their actions, the committee bucks the governor's recommendation to increase the resident elk hunting license from $49 to $75, and the fee for a non-resident from $251 to $400. (budget paper 566)

The committee shot it down on a 16-0 vote.

Which all begs the question: There are elk in Wisconsin?

Labels: DNR

The governor's proposal to increase the environmental repair solid waste tipping fee imposed on high-volume industrial waste by 35-cents, from 50- to 85-cents per ton, was approved by default. (Budget paper 596)

A Republican motion to delete the increase failed 8-8 on a party-line vote. A motion by the Dems to increase the fee by 44-cents, which would balance the account according to LFB, suffered the same fate, though the sides were flipped.

With the governor's proposal adopted, the fee increase is expected to generate an additional $5 million over the biennium.

Labels: DNR

The $9 vehicle environmental impact fee which was to sunset at the end of this year has been extended through 2009 by the committee. The fee is expected to generate $19 million over the biennium. (Budget paper 595)

Gov. Doyle had proposed eliminating the sunset date and making the fee permanent.

The vote to extend the fee through 2009 was unanimous.

Labels: DNR

Rep. Suder introduced a motion to amend budget paper 576 to open any land purchased with the Outdoor Recreational Activities Land Acquisition Program to hunting, fishing and trapping, within season.

Suder's motion also includes a provision that no more than 10 percent of program grant funds be used to purchase parcels less than 10 acres.

The motion is approved 15-1, with Rep. Colon the sole dissenter.

Labels: DNR, Suder