1. United States
2. Wisc.
3. Letter

Reauthorize the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund before it expires on June 30. This program has protected Wisconsin's land and water for over 35 years, with bipartisan roots going back to Gov. Tommy Thompson. Letting it die because of a legislative standoff would be a failure of basic governance. Senate Republicans pulled the reauthorization bill from the floor schedule in February without explanation. Meanwhile, a straightforward Democratic amendment to extend the program one year at its current $33.25 million funding level was rejected along party lines. That's not fiscal responsibility — that's obstruction. Wisconsin already faces over $1 billion in deferred maintenance at state properties. Starving conservation funding makes that problem worse, not better. With a $2.37 billion state surplus on the table, there is no credible argument that Wisconsin can't afford to keep this program running. Hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreationists across the state depend on the access it provides. Pass a clean reauthorization now.