Please join us for a Rally at the Capitol while the Legislature takes up the biennial state budget! Support your co-workers at DNR and advocate for a different budget. See the Updated Flyer.
June 11, 2015
4:30 pm: Gather at GEF 2
5:00 pm: March to the Capitol
There’s a lot to dislike in the Governor’s Budget, but it is especially disturbing that specific positions are being targeted at the DNR. These proposed cuts
seem to reflect individual legislators’ pet peeves. Senator Tom Tiffany, R-Hazelhurst, has acknowledged that he requested that the Governor cut 17 science positions because their research includes climate change. This is a chilling message to all state employees – do your job and face being targeted by a legislator with a grudge.
There are also 11 educator positions proposed to be cut because “the natural resources educator positions no longer serve the core mission of the agency”. The educators perform tasks that include developing youth education programs, handling media calls and conducting nature walks which seem to be in line with legislators’ calls to promote youth hunting and fishing.
Also in the cross-hairs is the Department’s Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine. The budget proposes to cut one of the editor positions. Rep. David Steffen, R-Green Bay, has been quoted as saying the magazine should be priced so that it contributes to the Department’s “core functions” instead of just being self-supporting.
So join us on Thursday, June 11.
4: 30 pm Gather at GEF 2 / Dept. of Natural Resources, 101 S. Webster St. and march to Capitol
5:00 pm Rally begins at State Street Side of the Capitol
The rally flier is found at http://wpec.wi.aft.org/files/another_budget_is_possible_rally_flier_0.pdf.
Please share with others that may be interested in attending.