Doyle gets it right on first vetoes

Gov. Jim Doyle scored a trifecta Monday with his first budget vetoes, all on environmental issues.

*** He won praise from many of the environmentalists and lefty leggies who have been critical of him. For example, The Sierra Club, which has been unhappy with Doyle, said in its release:

"On behalf of over 14,400 members throughout the state, the Sierra Club – John Muir Chapter thanks Governor Jim Doyle for being the backstop to protect Wisconsin’s air, land and water resources. The stroke of the Governor’s pen has helped restore Wisconsin’s reputation as a tourist destination with desirable communities for residents. We want Illinois and Minnesota to send us their tourists, not their trash.

"The Governor revived three visionary Wisconsin laws. Together the Stewardship Fund, Smart Growth and the Recycling Law protect our beaches, rivers, forests and natural areas for the enjoyment of this and future generations. They enable local residents to build desirable, livable communities. These laws support a land ethic that conserves natural resources whether they are rare plants, productive farmland, safe drinking water or recoverable materials from our waste stream."

*** He restored programs -- the Stewardship Fund, Smart Growth, and recycling -- that resonate with the public, scoring some political points.

*** And he apparently did it without the Republicans even putting up a fight. They say they will not try to override those vetoes, but will tackle some of them as separate bills -- subject, of course, to another Doyle veto. That tells you two things: (1) they knew an override attempt would fail, and (2) The public thinks Doyle is on the right side of those issues.

There will be other contentious issues as the vetoes unfold, but starting with three green issues was a master stroke.

JS story.