The story of the session
During the 2023-24 session, the GOP-dominated legislature failed conservation voters. Republicans obstructed progress, not just on priority conservation issues, but on basic governance. In one instance, they tried to use a statewide crisis – toxic PFAS in our drinking water – as a tool to create an accountability loophole for corporate polluters.
Gov. Evers did his job. He used his veto power seven times to stop bills that worked against conservation priorities, including vetoing a dangerous redistricting bill that led to the fair voting maps we now have. Meanwhile, conservation champions stood ready to stop a near GOP supermajority from overriding his vetoes.
In spite of the gerrymandered legislature, there were victories. In partnership with conservation groups across the state, Gov. Evers secured the approval of Pelican River Forest – the largest conservation project in Wisconsin history. And through the state budget, the legislature secured $125 million for PFAS clean up, remediation for lead in homes, state park capital improvements, funding the Tribal Elder Community Food Box Program, and more.
Read more in the Conservation Scorecard >>>
