MADISON, Wis. (AP) - The Latest on state Department of Natural Resources Secretary-designee Preston Cole’s confirmation hearing (all times local):
10:05 a.m.
State Department of Natural Resources Secretary-designee Preston Cole is telling a legislative committee that the agency will continue to research chronic wasting disease.
Cole didn’t offer any overarching strategies to the Senate sporting heritage committee during his confirmation hearing Thursday. He says “we’re going to let the science come to us.” He said he hopes there will be federal money in the next farm bill to address the disease.
Sen. Duey Stroebel seemed flummoxed with that answer, asking Cole where the state is going with CWD. He asked rhetorically how Cole was going to stop the disease from spreading but didn’t press him for an answer.
Cole did say that he believes state agriculture officials should manage deer farm fencing. Right now the DNR regulators the farms’ fences and the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection regulates everything inside the fences.
Gov. Tony Evers’ state budget doesn’t offer any new CWD policies or strategies.
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9:10 a.m.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Secretary-designee Preston Cole is telling lawmakers polluted drinking water is his top concern.
Cole appeared at a hearing before the state Senate’s sporting heritage committee on Thursday. The hearing is a prelude to a committee vote on whether the full Senate should confirm him.
Cole told the committee in his opening remarks that he has heard from senators that they’re concerned about drinking water pollution. He says the issue was their top concern. He says the issue must be fixed and investing in the science of drinking water quality will move the state toward solutions.
He says he plans to hire what he called a “science and technology officer” to advise lawmakers at committee hearing. He promises that the position will act as legislators’ “trusted adviser.”
He says chronic wasting disease is his second priority. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ state budget doesn’t address the disease.
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8:15 a.m.
Republicans on the state Senate’s sporting heritage committee are set to question Department of Natural Resources Secretary-designee Preston Cole.
The committee is set to convene Thursday morning in the state Capitol. The hearing is the prelude to a committee vote on whether the full Senate should confirm Cole.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers appointed Cole as DNR secretary in December. Cole has served as commissioner of neighborhood services under Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and as a member of the DNR’s board.
The sporting heritage committee’s chairman, Sen. Tom Tiffany, says he wants to hear about Cole’s plans for combatting chronic wasting disease. Evers’ state budget doesn’t address CWD.
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