A legal effort by Wisconsin's attorney general to remove the outgoing chairman of the Natural Resources Board from office has been halted. Last week, Dane County Circuit Court Judge Valerie Bailey-Rihn ruled that Josh Kaul did not have the authority to force Dr. Fred Prehn from his post on the citizen's panel, despite the fact that his term has expired and Gov. Tony Evers appointed a replacement.
Prehn was appointed to the board in 2015 by then-Governor Scott Walker. His term ended on May 1, but says he will not relinquish his duties because Republican lawmakers have yet to hold a hearing on his replacement.
In April, Evers appointed Sandra Dee Naas and Sharon Adams to fill vacancies created by the expiring terms of Prehn and Julie Anderson. Anderson has already stepped down.
Prehn's presence on the board means the group is made up of a 4-3 conservative majority.
Kaul plans to appeal the Dane County court ruling.
Categories: Wisconsin, Government & Policy