Strange Political Bedfellows: Glad Doyle's veto held

It is often said that politics makes strange bedfellows. Or as I often say, if you wait long enough, you will eventually find an issue you agree on, even with someone at the other end of the political spectrum.

Well yesterday, Governor Doyle and I had our first common ground victory when his veto on the bill to take the right to appoint the Secretary of the DNR from the Governor held, with a 58-38 vote. (They needed 64 yes votes to override; the 38 no votes came from Rep. 34, Dems 3, Ind. 1)

That seems a bit strange, that Gov. Doyle and I would want the same thing, doesn't it? Well, this is even stranger. About 3/4 of the Assembly Republicans voted against the veto override.

Here are some reasons why: (my emphasis)

"The vote was a huge loss for environmental groups and most of the state's conservation organizations, which had long pushed for a change in the law. They felt this year was their best chance."

"Opponents, many of them Republicans , said the governor is an important check on the power of the DNR. They also objected to language from the Senate that would have given senators authority to ratify secretary appointments."

Rep. Scott Gunderson (R-Waterford) warned colleagues that DNR board members can be partisan, too.

Without specifically mentioning his name, Gunderson noted that the board last month named Jonathan Ela of Madison chairman of the Natural Resources Board. Ela once worked for the Sierra Club and has held non-staff posts with the group.

"Never, never in the history of this state has the board had an environmentalist as a chair," Gunderson said. "It is always been a conservationist - and there is a big difference."

Wisconsin is a huge draw for fishermen and hunters. We don't want an environmentalist at the helm of our DNR board that is already too restrictive, in my opinion. At least with the Governor keeping appointment powers, voters have a chance at changing the DNR Secretary.

Why did the override fail? I think it was because of the public pressure to uphold the veto. Local Talk Radio hosts have been urging listeners to call their legislators to vote NO. And call they did.

People, you have power. Use it!

(Mark Belling broke the news of the override failure yesterday on his radio show.)

Links: Practically Speaking, Betterbrookfield, RandyMelchert, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, The Right View Wisconsin, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation