Opinion | Two wins for Wisconsin conservation efforts
Spencer Black celebrates two major victories for Wisconsin conservation initiatives, including the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program and voter responses to the constitutional amendment questions on August ballots.
Land trusts to seek more Stewardship funds after state Supreme Court decision
Land conservation groups anticipate submitting more funding requests for Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program grants now that the Joint Finance Committee can’t legally block conservation projects.
Data Wonk: Why Those Proposed Amendments to State Constitution?
Why did Republicans craft these amendment questions? And why did they choose the August election for the vote?
Supreme Court Ruling Reshapes Knowles-Nelson Grant Process: What You Need to Know
The recent Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling has reshaped the landscape for conservation funding in the state. With the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program up for reauthorization in 2025, it’s crucial to understand these changes and their broader implications.
Knowles-Nelson Gets Its Day in Court
The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program lawsuit on Wednesday, April 17th, 2024.
Legislature can’t block conservation funds, Wisconsin Supreme Court rules
In a 6-1 decision, the court ruled that the Republican-controlled budget committee violated the state constitution by blocking Knowles-Nelson funds for land stewardship projects.
State’s high court rules Legislature can’t block conservation funds after they’ve been budgeted
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that the Joint Finance Committee’s use of its power to block state spending on land conservation projects after the money has been budgeted is unconstitutional.
Court rules for executive branch
The WI Supreme Court rules 6-1 that the executive branch has the authority to spend Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program dollars already budgeted for without the Joint Finance Committee’s oversight.
Wisconsin Republicans are improperly blocking conservation work, court says
Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled in favor of Governor Tony Evers, stating that the Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee (JFC) cannot block conservation projects initiated by the governor’s administration.
WI Environmental Groups Celebrate Supreme Court Ruling
Midwest Environmental Advocates and Clean Wisconsin, both of which filed amicus briefs in the separation of powers lawsuit, praised the court’s decision that a statute allowing the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) to block Knowles-Nelson projects is unconstitutional.
