GOP Leaders Urge Gov. Evers to Sign Divisive PFAS Bill
It provides funding but restricts Wisconsin DNR's enforcement powers against polluters.
Top Republican lawmakers urged Democratic Gov. Tony Evers on Monday not to veto a bill that would provide a way for $125 million to be used to combat PFAS across Wisconsin. Evers has said he would veto the bill because of provisions that would restrict the state Department of Natural Resources’ enforcement powers against polluters and contaminators.
“Please do not veto this bill,” the lawmakers wrote. “The JFC will not change the legislative intent for these funds. Through the legislative process, public hearings and extensive revisions and compromise, the PFAS relief bill passed by the Legislature has earned the support of affected communities, including all three statewide associations representing all levels of local government.”
The money has been in limbo for months as lawmakers debated the rules under which it could be spent. The final legislation, SB 312, would provide the mechanism for the funds to be distributed and passed the Assembly in February. However, it had no support from Democrats due to provisions that clean water advocates have said could shield polluters from being held accountable.
The state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) submitted a formal request to the Republican-controlled JFC for the release of the funds without the bill in December, and Evers has urged lawmakers on numerous occasions over the last several months to release the funds, saying that it couldn’t wait.
Born and Marklein wrote in their letter that vetoing the bill would turn the money “the Legislature intended to help victims into an unaccountable slush fund that your administration has said it would use to bring enforcement action against farmers and other innocent landowners who didn’t cause the pollution in the first place.”
The bill has yet to be presented to Evers.
Evers’ spokesperson Britt Cudaback said in an email to the Examiner that there has been “no change in the governor’s position, notwithstanding the disingenuous comments of the two Republican Joint Finance Committee co-chairs who’ve spent 271 days now refusing to release $125 million in already-approved funds to combat PFAS contamination statewide.”
Republican leaders urge Gov. Evers to sign divisive PFAS legislation was originally published by Wisconsin Examiner.
More about the PFAS Problem
- Lawmakers At Odds Over Releasing Health, PFAS Funds - Erik Gunn - Jun 6th, 2024
- Wisconsin Senate Votes to Override Governor’s Vetoes - Baylor Spears - May 15th, 2024
- Gov. Evers Sues Republican Legislators for Continued Obstruction of Investments Intended to Address Pressing Challenges Facing Wisconsin - Gov. Tony Evers - May 13th, 2024
- Legislators Agree on Opioid Plan, Still Withhold PFAS, Hospital Funds - Erik Gunn - May 8th, 2024
- Gov. Evers Again Calls Republican Lawmakers into Special Meeting to Urge Immediate Release of $140 Million to Fight PFAS Statewide, Respond to Hospital Closures in Western Wisconsin - Gov. Tony Evers - May 6th, 2024
- The State of Politics: Voters Worried About PFAS in Water - Steven Walters - Apr 22nd, 2024
- EPA Slaps Two PFAS Chemicals With Superfund Law Designation - Danielle Kaeding - Apr 19th, 2024
- DNR Responds To EPA’s Designation Of PFOA And PFOS As Hazardous Substances - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Apr 19th, 2024
- Evers Won’t Rule Out Court Challenge to Force Release of PFAS Funds - Danielle Kaeding - Apr 16th, 2024
- Gov. Evers Vetoes PFAS Bill, Calls Special Meeting of Budget Committee - Baylor Spears - Apr 10th, 2024
Read more about PFAS Problem here
Thank you Governor Evers!