Gov. Scott Walker has selected a former legislator to run the state Department of Natural Resources.
Walker’s office announced Monday that he has chosen former Republican state Rep. Dan Meyer to serve as DNR secretary. He replaces Cathy Stepp, who resigned in August to take a position in President Donald Trump’s administration.
Meyer represented the 34th Assembly District in far northern Wisconsin from 2001 until 2013. He also has served as mayor of Eagle River and as the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce’s executive director.
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Walker said in a news release that Meyer understands the balance between protecting natural resources and supporting the economy.
Meyer said in the release that he will work to protect Wisconsin’s natural resources so they remain a source of recreation, economic growth and natural history.
Walker told reporters Tuesday in Milwaukee that Meyer is a good choice.
“Somebody who’s been a mayor, a well respected member of the Legislature by both political parties, worked in the private sector,” Walker said Tuesday. “For us, we want a balance between a person in that position who’s going to protect the environment and protect the economy.”
As a legislator, Dan Meyer was occasionally a fierce critic of the DNR. But Walker says Meyer will be expected to enforce all state environmental laws.
One of Walker’s Democratic opponents in next year’s governor’s race, state Rep. Dana Wachs, says Walker has put politics over people and chosen an insider.
“Wisconsin deserves a DNR secretary that’s accountable to the people, protects the environment, and stands up for hunters and fishermen,” Wachs said in a statement Monday evening. “Governor Walker has decided to again puts politics over people in his appointment of an insider to head the agency. I strongly support a return to an independent DNR Secretary who will do what is best for Wisconsin.”
Editor’s Note: This story was last updated at 2:46 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017, with original reporting from WPR.
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