DNR secretary defends eliminating magazine

By The Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. (AP) --Department of Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp is defending Gov. Scott Walker's plan to eliminate the agency's magazine in front of the Legislature's budget committee.

Walker's proposed 2017-19 budget calls for eliminating the DNR's Natural Resources magazine. Stepp told the committee during a briefing Thursday that DNR staff are spending time researching and writing articles, taking time from their core duties, and the DNR's digital media efforts reach thousands more people.

Rep. Katrina Shankland, a Stevens Point Democrat, questioned whether doing away with the magazine has anything to do with trying to mute discussion of climate change. Stepp responded ending the magazine is a business decision.