Rep. Robyn Vining Condemns Removal of Lead Service Line Replacement from Budget
"I cannot believe we are turning our backs on children born into homes with lead in their water."
MADISON – Last week, Republicans in the Joint Finance Committee erased the budget proposal to authorize $40 million in borrowing to help municipalities replace lead laterals, which are the pipes that connect homes to the water mains under city streets. Without this bonding, homeowners likely will not be able to afford replacing lead pipes on their own, putting their families in danger of lead poisoning. Representative Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa) issued the following statement in response:
“I cannot believe we are turning our backs on children born into homes with lead in their water. It’s wrong and we should keep fighting to give these kids the futures they deserve. Exploiting kids as political poker chips while the water they drink damages their brains is disgusting.
‘Forward together’ means everyone together. ‘Forward together’ means we don’t pick winners and losers — it means we pick Wisconsinites, all of us.
Funding solutions to the lead crisis is a moral decision. It’s also the fiscally responsible decision. Investment now saves money later in health care, education, housing, and more. It even boosts the tax base because safer homes means higher home values. Lead abatement is the right thing to do.”
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Lead Crisis
- Wisconsin Moves to Require Lead Service Lines Replaced By 2037 - Danielle Kaeding - Dec 11th, 2025
- Gov. Evers, DNR Announce More Than $159 Million to Ensure Clean, Safe Drinking Water for Wisconsinites in 29 Municipalities - Gov. Tony Evers - Dec 10th, 2025
- EPA Announces $3 Billion in New Funding for States to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Nov 25th, 2025
- Wisconsin Communities Get $282 Million for Drinking Water Projects - Danielle Kaeding - Nov 19th, 2025
- MKE County: County Launches Lead Abatement Program - Graham Kilmer - Nov 9th, 2025
- Milwaukee County Launches Lead Remediation Program to Reduce Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Homes in Suburban Communities - David Crowley - Nov 5th, 2025
- Wisconsin Improves Child Lead Testing Rates, Urges Continued Testing and At-Home Prevention - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Oct 21st, 2025
- City Hall: Milwaukee Must Replace 100 Lead Laterals Per Week To Meet 2025 Goal - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 1st, 2025
- MPS Clears Lead Risks from all Pre-1950 Elementary Buildings - Milwaukee Public Schools - Sep 5th, 2025
- MPS Issues Update on Lead Remediation Progress as New School Year Nears - Milwaukee Public Schools - Jul 31st, 2025
Read more about Lead Crisis here
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by State Rep. Robyn Vining
“The Wisconsin Majority Wants to Close Our Schools–It’s Time to Be Alarmed”
Nov 19th, 2025 by State Rep. Robyn Vining–Rep. Robyn Vining on Republican-led School Consolidation Plan
“It Shouldn’t Be This Hard To Get Republican Lawmakers To Do The Right Thing.”
Nov 19th, 2025 by State Rep. Robyn Vining–Rep. Robyn Vining on Continued Republican Failure to Pass Postpartum Medicaid Expansion
