You can definitely count me among those who don't like the DNR. So when I saw this article on JSOnline today, I immediately noticed a few things that bugged me. Perhaps the strangest paragraph was this one, which attempts to explain the source of tensions between the DNR and Legislature:
Like politics in general, Madison is increasingly at war with itself, and in an election year, some politicians are scoring points by bashing the DNR. But there are inbred tensions, with legislators viewing themselves as the branch of government that makes laws while the DNR sees itself as a vanguard of environmental protection.
Excuse me Mr. Berquist, but let's get one thing straight right from the get go. The legislature doesn't just view themselves as the branch of government that makes laws... they actually are the branch of government that makes the laws. You make it sound like this is a position which is up for debate. There is no debate on this point. It is fact. It's this thing we call "representative democracy". Look into it.
Also, while the DNR may see itself as the vanguard of environmental protection, that is not the role they fill per state law. You know, those things that the legislature likes to view itself as making. Their role, as part of the executive branch, is to enforce the laws which the legislature writes, not to write new ones. Maybe that's why the legislature is getting a bit ticked. Call me crazy.
So maybe the title of the article should be changed from "Legislature, DNR tangle over power" to "Legislature Takes Back Stolen Power." Seems to better fit what's actually going on here.
Disclaimer The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer's view in anyway.