OPEN GOVERNMENT
Want open government? Want to reduce the chance of special interest politics?
If your answers were “yes,” consider the impact of restoring the independence of the Department of Natural Resources – something championed early in the 20th century by conservation pioneer Aldo Leopold.
The agency is responsible for implementing state and federal laws that protect and enhance Wisconsin natural resources, including air, land, water, forests, wildlife, fish and plants. That means it has to approve all sorts of permits that affect natural resources.
For decades, the seven-member Natural Resources Board had the power to hire and fire the agency boss. But in the mid-1990s, at the urging of Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson, the power went to the governor’s office.
The seven Natural Resources Board members were appointed by governors for staggered six-year terms, and the appointments had to be confirmed by the state Senate. It had provided some insulation from politics coloring decisions affecting natural resources.
Governors, whether they are Republican or Democrat, like power. Power helps raise money for their next political campaign. The money-raising potential is what seems to invite potential mischief in dealing with natural resource issues.
Testimony at a recent legislative hearing said DNR employees are told they are not allowed to talk to reporters. Apparently no whistle blowing is going to be allowed at this agency.
As expected, business and industrial leaders urged the Legislature to keep the current system. The status quo is good in that it makes it easier to get state government to meet their needs. When the governor can wield all the power, it’s possible to speed resolution of needed permits.
State government has a small army of “public information” specialists who deal with reporters, editors and assorted media. That’s a tidy way of heading off any embarrassing information about state government.
The pattern of limiting government information starts at the top. Gov. Jim Doyle doesn’t put out weekly schedules in advance. Instead the office puts out his schedule after the month has expired. Apparently that’s to meet the claims of an “open” administration. It might be helpful for historians, but not for the day-to-day coverage by reporters.
Doyle recently was sued by a Madison newspaper over the open records law. On June 4, The Capital Times filed an open records request to see the names of finalists for three judgeships and for letters backing the finalists. Doyle didn’t release the information until July 8 – the day he appointed the new judges.
That undercuts the spirit of the open records law. But it neatly fits the pattern of putting out his schedule after the month is over.
It should be noted that Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, the front-runner for the Republican nomination for governor, puts out a weekly schedule – in advance.
