Wisconsin justices wrangle with case of appointed official refusing to leave his seat

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The tenure of Wisconsin Natural Resources Board member and onetime chair Frederick Prehn, appointed by former GOP Gov. Scott Walker in 2015, has sparked controversy and raised accusations of partisan chicanery.

courthousenews.com
Wisconsin justices wrangle with case of appointed official refusing to leave his seat
Though his term expired last year, a member of the state natural resources board refuses to leave his appointed office because he claims his seat is not technically vacant.
2:14 PM · Mar 10, 2022

https://www.courthousenews.com/wisconsin-justices-wrangle-with-case-of-appointed-official-refusing-to-leave-his-seat/

MADISON, Wis. (CN) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Thursday heard arguments in the case of an appointed officeholder who refuses to leave his seat even though his term has expired, a decision in which could have lasting effects on environmental policy in the state and the extent of the governor’s appointment powers.

The tenure of Wisconsin Natural Resources Board member and onetime chair Frederick Prehn, appointed by former Republican Governor Scott Walker in 2015, has sparked controversy and raised accusations of partisan chicanery. The fracas stems from Prehn’s refusal to step down from the NRB when his six-year term ended in May 2021 so that the appointee of Democratic Governor Tony Evers, Ashland-based natural resources teacher Sandra Naas, could assume the role.

Prehn, a dentist and cranberry marsh owner from Wausau, has cited a 1964 state supreme court decision which he and his lawyers assert does not require him to step down until his replacement is confirmed by the Wisconsin Senate.

The seven-member NRB sets policy for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Members are appointed by the governor and approved by the Senate for six-year terms.

The Senate, controlled by Republicans, has not acted on Naas’ referral last summer to a Republican-majority organization committee after Evers first nominated her in April.

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