On July 5, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that the executive branch has the authority to spend funds on projects the state legislature has already appropriated money for. This ruling specifically affects the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, which is managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), reported The Center Square.
The court’s decision, made with a 6-1 majority, overturns a policy that allowed members of the Joint Finance Committee to anonymously object to and effectively block conservation projects costing more than $250,000.
Justice Rebecca Bradley, writing the majority opinion, explained that while the legislature has the power to allocate funds, it is the executive branch’s job to actually spend that money on approved projects. This separation of powers is a key part of how our government works.
The lone dissenter, Chief Justice Annette Ziegler, raised concerns about the political motivations behind the case and questioned whether similar principles would be applied consistently to cases involving the Democratic-controlled executive branch.
This ruling clarifies the roles of different parts of the government in managing conservation projects. It gives the DNR more freedom to carry out its work without interference from individual legislators.
For the average Wisconsinite, this decision could mean smoother implementation of conservation projects, potentially leading to better protection and management of the state’s natural resources.
This story was also published at MSN.com and WJFW.
Featured image by Warren LeMay, 2023
