GOP-appointed DNR board member’s refusal to step down after term ended cost taxpayers $76,000

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin taxpayers spent about $76,000 to fund a state Department of Natural Resources policy board member’s legal fight to remain on the board after his term expired, a news outlet reported Wednesday.

The Wisconsin State Journal said it had obtained invoices through an open records request detailing state payments to Fred Prehn’s attorney, Mark Macioek, between October 2021 and February 2022.

Coincidentally, the GOP-appointed Prehn announced last week that he will resign from the board Friday. He said it was time for the Senate to vote on Naas.

Republicans have refused to confirm several of Evers appointees, saying back in January — heading into the governor’s election year — they were done confirming. The Legislature was holding sessions through mid-March.

Former Republican Gov. Scott Walker appointed Prehn to the board in 2015.

His term expired in May 2021 but he refused to step down to make way for Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ appointee, Sandra Naas. Prehn argued he didn’t need to leave until the state Senate confirmed Naas.

Republicans, who control the Senate have yet to schedule a vote on Naas’ appointment. They’ve had eight months to do so. The state Legislature has been out of session the past nine months.

Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul filed a lawsuit seeking a court order forcing Prehn off the board. The conservative-leaning state Surpeme Court ruled in Prehn’s favor in June.

After his term ended, Prehn cast the deciding vote to increase the state wolf hunt quota and to scrap proposed limits on chemicals known as PFAS in groundwater.

Earlier this month, though, he was part of a unanimous board decision to restart the process to establish limits, a project that will take years to complete.