Ending WI DNR magazine not about saving money

Just what is the real reason? That is what many are wondering about Governor Walker’s idea to shutter a popular environmental magazine. Walker wants to stop the state’s publication of the Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine. This publication has been around nearly 100 years. It details conservation efforts, and highlights the state’s natural resources. But it also writes articles about DNR conservation programs, including those trimmed or cut by reduced government spending. Perhaps seeing stories, in a state published magazines, about things like climate change and cuts to DNR programs didn’t sit well with the Governor. For the record, Walker cites cost savings as the reason he wants to stop the publication. But now we have learned that it would cost more to stop producing the bimonthly magazine than it does to print it. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau estimates the cost of ceasing the publication at nearly $800,000. That includes some $350,000 in rebates to subscribers. So clearly the effort to end the magazine is about something other than money. And it is not that the magazine isn’t popular. It has gained about 1000 subscribers since Walker announced his intention to scrap the publication. It seems that, like a number of other efforts by our Governor, this is really about furthering Walker’s anti-science agenda.