President Obama released more details about how he intends to spend $475 million on Great Lakes restoration today. He also outlined a plan to provide states with an additional $3.9 billion to clean up the drinking water with new infrastructure projects. And although it feels like Christmas on this balmy May day, there is no guarantee that the Grinch (read: Congressional appropriators) won’t steal all these hard won gifts away from us in the middle of the night. Because, at the end of the day, Congress holds the purse strings and the appropriations committees will decide if any of these lofty, job creating programs get some funding or full funding or no funding.
President Obama has set aside $475 million for the EPA and its Federal partners to coordinate state, tribal, local and industry actions to protect, maintain and restore the chemical, biological and physical integrity of the Great Lakes. He specifically targets our greatest ailments: invasive species, nonpoint source pollution and toxic sediments. In addition, his new support for the State Revolving Fund means that we can expect upgraded sewers and water infrastructure. All these efforts not only restore our Great Lakes but they also provide more jobs for our region.
It is no secret that many in Congress are uncomfortable with the level of spending in this President’s budget and the corresponding Congressional budget – why minority leader John Boehner (R-OH) –previously Bush’s budget water boy and now a born again fiscal conservative – nearly strokes every time he spews the words Obama and budget. Thankfully, Boehner isn’t on the House Appropriations Committee which begins budget hearings next week. Still, our programs are not safe until they are fully appropriated and we mean to let committee members know how important this is to us.
Great Lake Member David Obey (D-Wisc.) chairs the powerful House committee and we need to let him know that we want and need these Great Lakes programs fully funded. We expect the other Great Lakes House Members, especially those with districts that edge the Lakes, to stand up and fight for every last dollar promised by Obama and Congress. These Members include: Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Jesse Jackson (D-Ill.), Carolyn Kilpatrick (D-Mich.), Tim Ryan (D-OH), Mark Kirk (R-Ill), Steve LaTourette (R-OH), John Murtha (D-PA), peter Visclosky (D-Ind.), Nita Lowey (D-NY), Jose Serrano (D-NY), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Chaka Fatta (D-PA), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) and Steve Israel (D-NY). We will be watching each member and reporting on whether or not they are supportive of these much needed Great Lakes restoration initiatives. There will be no unobserved midnight gift raid by a heartless Grinch – consider us an army of Cindy Lou Who’s – only we won’t accept a half-full glass of water and a tuck in this time.
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