Don’t play politics with political appointments

Elections have consequences. Or do they? When Tony Evers was elected Governor of Wisconsin he earned the right to make political appointments, things like cabinet secretaries and members of state boards. That is typically a mundane process. But not in the case of Frederick Prehn, who serves as chairman of the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board. He was appointed by Governor Scott Walker, and his six-year term expired in May. But he defiantly remains in his position on the board. And because of some quirk in the state law, it is perfectly legal for him to continue to serve on the board until his replacement is confirmed. The person Governor Evers chose to replace him has not had her appointment hearing scheduled by the partisan Wisconsin Senate. Republicans want Prehn to stay so he can have a voice in establishing rules on controversial issues like the quota for the fall wolf hunt. By the way, Prehn is a dentist. His replacement, Sandra Dee Naas, has more than 30 years of conservation experience. I’m guessing she knows a little more about the issues the board deals with. Our lawmakers should not make protecting Wisconsin’s environment a partisan issue, and neither should they play politics with a routine political appointment.