DNR proposal failed in lame duck

A push for increased DNR funding fell flat in December’s lame duck session, with the state Legislature failing to approve a proposal that would have flipped the state recreation passport program from opt-in to opt-out. Northern Michigan lawmakers welcomed the news, saying that the approach could have led to some drivers unknowingly paying for the service. DNR officials say that the changes were estimated to generated an additional $17 million a year. David Barr Michigan News Source.