Today, Governor-elect Tony Evers announced some of his first appointments for his upcoming administration. Tony said that he is seeking the diversity that represents Wisconsin to put in his cabinet. Some people were speculating of who he would pick. The two most common questions I have heard were A, Would he pick anyone from the Doyle Administration? or B. Would he pick anyone from DPI?
Department of Administration
If you look at the Cabinet of Wisconsin's website, The Department of Administration is a top-level cabinet position, Tony Evers selected Joel Brennan, He is the CEO of Milwaukee's Discovery World Science and Technology Museum. He was campaign chair to Barret’s successful 2002 Gubanatorial campaign and ran a primary challenge to former State Senator Jeff Plale. ( Interview with Brennan in the links below)
Department of Corrections
The Wisconsin DOC has taken a lot of heat in the last four years. Stemming from the abuses at Lincoln Hills to the political career of former AG Van Hollen. Whoever takes this spot will have a disaster to clean up. For this, Evers has tapped U.S. Marshal Kevin Carr. Carr began his career in MKE County Law Enforcement in 1980 rising up to the point of Inspector before being sworn in as U,S, Marshal in 2010.
DNR Secretary
Wisconsin has a long history of protecting our natural resources from earth day to the Knowles-Nelson stewardship fund. The threat of CWD and the debate over how to manage the grey wolf population. The DNR Secretary should have a vast knowledge on how to strengthen our natural resources not diminish them, In recent years Kathy Stepp and Sheila Harsdorf have ignored science and totally stripped funding from our state parks.
Governor-elect Evers has named Milwaukee County Commissioner of Public Works Preston Cole to be his DNR Secretary. Mostly known as “ The Tree Guy, Cole’s appointment was brought with praise from environmental groups like Wisconsin’s Green Fire. ( Interview with Cole will be in the links below)
Department of Tourism
After constant pressure from the GOP to keep the current one in place. Evers changed the course and appointed Sarah Meaney as Tourism Secretary, Last March, Meaney was named the Chief Marketing Officer of Milwaukee Films. Before that, she was Managing Director of the advertising agency BVK. Wisconsin has a vast tourism industry going from Door County to the St. Croix River. Most rural economies rely on the tourists to bring in revenue to small communities.
Conclusion
Evers was criticized from both sides of the aisle for some of these picks. One of the main criticism that all four of these are from Milwaukee. The other would that is none of these picks have any experience in state government. To the first criticism, Milwaukee is part of Wisconsin too. We are making progress outstate epecially in the southwest and the fox valley. The second, Haven’t we had enough of career politicians in the cabinet. Mike Huebsch, Sheila Harsdorf and Kathy Stepp to name a few.
What do you guys think of the picks? Let me know in comments.
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