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CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – Did you know that Wisconsin has an Office of Environmental Justice?
It’s hard to find. It has no web site. It has no line item in the state budget. The office is run as part of the Governor’s Department of Administration. It was originally funded by COVID grants; that money has since run out. A government-watchdog report from the Badger Institute says the office is now funded by taking money that was intended for other things. Funding has never been approved by the state legislature. The leader of this office was never confirmed by the state senate.
It was created by an executive order by Governor Tony Evers. It is staffed by former Wausau mayor Katie Rosenberg. The governor made no announcement that Rosenberg had joined his administration.
Democrats were hopeful for Katie Rosenberg’s political future when she was mayor. She was young, well-spoken, and a government policy wonk. She seemed to have a high political ladder. Perhaps she could be a player in the state legislature someday. Perhaps she could run for congress. All of that was derailed when she lost her reelection bid. Now, by all appearances, it appears the Governor has created a placeholder job for her.
The questions about the Office of Environmental Justice are legion.
What is its stated purpose? Is that purpose written down somewhere? What is the actual work product of this office? Does this office issue policy decisions? Does the office make reports to the public? Where are such reports available? May we see them? Where does the money that funds this office and Katie Rosenberg’s salary come from? What was that money originally intended for? Does the governor’s executive order creating such a position expire when he leaves office?
Katie Rosenberg has remained politically active. In the April elections she ran for, and won, a seat on the Marathon County board of supervisors. She currently serves on Wausau’s Police and Fire Commission.
Rosenberg did not respond to follow-up questions from the Badger Institute about her work within the Evers Administration; nor did the Department of Administration. Everything surrounding the Office of Environmental Justice is an on-the-downlow mystery. Katie Rosenberg should resign this position immediately and this unaccountable office should be closed.
Chris Conley
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