Eliminating DNR positions could take 95 more jobs with it

MADISON — A new report says Gov. Scott Walker's budget plan to eliminate about 30 Department of Natural Resources scientists and educators could cost the agency dozens more positions.

A memo from the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau produced on Tuesday notes that if the DNR creates lay-off groups consisting of scientists and educators, state law would require the agency to eliminate all limited-term and positions in those classifications before it could eliminate permanent positions. According to the memo, the DNR currently has 95 LTE positions in its science bureau and educator program.

The Legislature's budget committee is set to consider Walker's proposal during a session Friday. The committee could approve the plan, tweak it or delete it from the budget altogether.

Spokespeople for the committee's co-chairs didn't immediately return an email.