HORICON MARSH, Wis. — Wisconsin Lakes has officially joined the newly formed Wisconsin Outdoor Consortium, uniting with 45 other conservation and outdoor groups to focus on critical issues across fisheries, wildlife management, natural community conservation, and outdoor recreation.
Sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the consortium was established to foster direct collaboration between the agency and key statewide stakeholders.
At the consortium’s recent meeting, DNR officials briefed leadership groups on the mechanics of the state budget process from both the legislature and agency perspective.
Key Timeline: Navigating the 2027–2029 Biennial Budget
Understanding the upcoming budget timeline is essential for tracking where policy decisions and funding allocations take shape:
September 2026: The DNR submits a “keeping the lights on” budget for an undetermined Governor.
November 2026: A Governor is selected through the ballot box.
December 2027: The Governor sets up their office and staff. They choose the leadership of the DNR including: the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Assistant Deputy Secretary, (6) Division Administrators,
Communications Director, General Legal Counsel and Legislative Liaison.
Jan-Feb 2027: The Governor communicates their policy priorities, considers the budgets submitted by the DNR and other agencies, and determines the level of funding for the DNR and other agencies that
will be incorporated in the Governor’s budget. This budget is sent to the Legislature.
Mar-Jun 2027: The Joint Finance Committee (JFC) holds hearings and modifies the Governor’s budget. The JFC consists of 16 members divided equally between the Senate and the Assembly. Twelve of those
members are from the Leadership party and 4 members are from the Minority party.
Jun 2027: The Senate and Assembly separately debate and amend the budget. The Wisconsin State Legislature must pass the same version of the budget for it to be sent to the Governor.
Jul 2027: The Governor signs the budget into law, after exercising partial veto power over some allocations.
Aug 2027: The DNR implements its biennial budget, distributing its funding across many programs.
How WI Lakes Members and Citizens Can Drive Change
Because DNR funding relies on both executive direction and legislative approval, public participation is critical. Here is what you can do:
- Vote for the Gubernatorial candidate who shares your policy priorities for natural resources. As an agency of the Governor, the DNR implements the Governor’s policy priorities. The Governor’s position controls how the department runs.
- Vote for legislative candidates who share your view of what the DNR should do. Supporting legislative candidates who value natural resources directly impacts DNR direction and funding.
- Engage in public advocacy. Citizens can contact the Governor’s office during priority-setting months (December-February) and submit testimony to the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) during spring hearings. Contacting the JFC can be challenging because the Leadership Party of each chamber dominates this committee with 75% of membership. Members may not be responsive if you are not one of their constituents.
- Share your insights with Wisconsin Lakes. As Wisconsin Lakes represents water conservation priorities within the consortium, members and residents are invited to share local lake protection and recreation concerns with us at info@wisconsinlakes.org.
- Consider an individual donation to Wisconsin Lakes to help us fund our advocacy efforts in Madison.
Looking Ahead
With early state budget planning already moving forward, now is a great time to let us know your thoughts. Decisions being made in the coming weeks will help lay the groundwork for the DNR’s priorities long before the official budget hits the legislative floor. Your on-the-ground insights as lake leaders, residents, and advocates will ensure our stakeholder clean water and local lake protection needs remain front and center. WI Lakes will continue working on your behalf at all levels and bring you any new developments as they occur.