Some Gems in Doyle's Budget

Right wing radio talkers and their blogger buddies will go crazy over Gov. Doyle's 2007-'09 proposed budget because it contains some targeted fee and tax increases.

But let's start the budget analysis by praising the Governor for his proposal to force Big Oil to make a contribution to the state's transportation budget.

And I applaud Doyle's plan to increase by 75% the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program, raising that funding eventually to $105 million.

The historical, bi-partisan land acquisition program uses funds statewide to preserve recreational, open space.

The Bush administration has spent the last six years moving in the opposite direction by turning over more control of public lands to private interests.