By Bruce Ross, Executive Director bross@wisducks.org
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s February, 2022 Newsletter edition.
WWA’s two most important policy initiatives this year were: (1) the increase of the Waterfowl Stamp fee to account for inflation; and (2) the reauthorization and funding of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.
We had been laboring to get the duck stamp across the finish line for over ten years without success. And the Knowles-Nelson program, probably the state’s single most important conservation funding engine, had struggled to find effective champions the previous legislative cycle. In 2020, two public figures emerged from these efforts as pivotal in the successful conclusions that were realized: Governor Tony Evers and Representative Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam).
While WWA’s Board entered this inaugural Policy Maker of the Year deliberation with the expectation of selecting a single nominee, it became clear that without both of these public leaders, the successful outcomes would not have been achieved.
It is notable that the duck stamp adjustment failed to get traction in nearly eight years under a unified state government. Especially in this era of divided government, and in the highly partisan atmosphere of state politics, we submit that recognizing two leaders, from different parties, is a fitting way to launch this non-partisan award program.
Want to see that the media is saying about these picks? Check out this article written by Paul Smith, Outdoor News Editor for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Want even more background? Keep reading…
Governor Tony Evers
As we embarked on advocacy efforts for the Waterfowl Stamp increase for the tenth year, any legislator we spoke to – on either side of the aisle – told us success would depend on its inclusion in the Governor’s initial budget submission. Governor Evers’ staff worked closely with us to understand the need and the technical complexities inherent in the waterfowl stamp program. They handled the surge of supporter communications which ultimately helped provide Governor Evers confidence in the outsized benefits of the initiative.
On the Knowles Nelson program, his personal engagement and championing of the program highlighted its importance by keeping the topic in the public eye. He prioritized a high level of funding support for the K-N program, creating legislative flexibility to consider the program on its merits. Legislators ultimately agreed the program was valuable and warranted their support.
These two critically important conservation initiatives survived a challenging budget dynamic to emerge for signature – an outcome very unlikely without Governor Evers’ initial championing.
Representative Mark Born
State Representative Mark Born (R – Beaver Dam) has long been a supporter of issues important to the outdoors and our state’s sportsmen and women.
As the newly appointed Co-Chair of the Joint Finance Committee (JFC), Representative Born was now in charge of leading his caucus through the state budget debates and dealing with all the issues included in it. And there were two key initiatives important to sportsmen and women that were included in this year’s state budget. This included the long-overdue adjustment to the Wisconsin State Duck Stamp fee and the renewal of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.
Representative Born was not only a vocal champion for these issues in his own caucus, but he also fought hard within his own party to ensure the best outcome possible for these issues. It’s clear that without Rep. Born’s steadfast support and willingness to fight that both the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund and the State Duck Stamp adjustment would not be where they are today.