MADISON, Wis. — Yesterday, Wisconsin’s Assembly Committee on Forestry, Parks, and Outdoor Recreation voted on two bills which would fund and change the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. The bills each received a 6-6 vote, meaning they failed to earn the committee’s recommendation.
Representative Randy Udell (D-47th District) released the following statement:
“For over three decades, the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program has enjoyed strong bipartisan support as Wisconsin’s primary method to acquire and maintain beautiful public lands. From nature conservancy to outdoor recreation, this program is cherished across the state.
“Both Governor Evers and Legislative Democrats proposed full reauthorizations of this program. The Republican majority blocked these proposals. Instead, this week, we voted on a half-measure which would instantly defund $35 million from maintenance projects and create an arduous, partisan approval process for new public land acquisition.
“This should be simple. I will keep fighting to save Knowles-Nelson, but it will require bipartisan cooperation.”
