With the Senate starting debate on the economic stimulus today, it seems like a good time to suggest they consider amending the legislation to include more money to repair sewers and to clean up toxic hot spots in the Great Lakes region.
Michigan has the highest unemployment in the nation – 10.6 percent, according to Stateline.org. If the Senate were to choose to put $10 billion into the State Revolving Fund – the dollars that pay for our sewer systems to be updated and fixed – it would create 20,163 jobs in Michigan. Michigan isn’t suffering alone – our entire region is collapsing – Ohio has lost 100,000 jobs in the past year alone. And although it would take $6 billion to fix Ohio’s sewers (the same amount the House bill provides for the entire nation) if the Senate were to up the ante by $4 billion it would create 26,414 Buckeye jobs.
Michigan’s Senator Carl Levin (D) and Ohio’s George Voinovich (R) were bold enough to introduce the $20 billion Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act just days before President Barack Obama was sworn into office. Now is the time for these same Senators to strike out and improve the Economic Recovery Package by fighting for at least $10 billion for the SRS. Likewise, by tripling Great Lakes Legacy Act funding to $150 million a year, more jobs will be brought to our region at the same time that our shores are made safe from years of toxic contamination. Restoring the Lakes is an integral part of an economic recovery for our region. Even the US President recognized this when he told HOW, “As a resident of the Great Lakes region, I understand the importance of this critical natural resource for our nation’s economy, environment and public welfare.”
So, lets force the issue and see if the new President meant what he said.
Related posts:
- Winning Hearts and Minds
- With a Little Bit of Blooming Luck
- Restoration Means Recovery for the Midwest
- Task Force Tells US House Budget Committee To Restore the Lakes
- Do You Hear What I Hear?