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
- New MPS Superintendent Cutting Central Office Jobs - Corrinne Hess - May 8th, 2025
- MTEA Statement on Lead Exposure in MPS Buildings - Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association - Apr 30th, 2025
- Statement from Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez on Lead Hazards in MPS Buildings - Sup. Juan Miguel Martinez - Apr 29th, 2025
- MPS Closing Two More Schools For Lead Hazards - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 28th, 2025
- Milwaukee Public Schools Enters New Phase of Lead Cleanup - Milwaukee Public Schools - Apr 28th, 2025
- What To Know and How To Keep Kids Safe From Lead Poisoning - Evan Casey - Apr 25th, 2025
- Congresswoman Gwen Moore and Senator Tammy Baldwin Urge HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to Reinstate Childhood Lead Poisoning Experts at CDC, Push for Approval of Milwaukee’s Request for Federal Assistance - U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore - Apr 23rd, 2025
- MPS’s Fernwood School to Reopen Following Lead Remediation Work - Milwaukee Public Schools - Apr 22nd, 2025
- Milwaukee School Board May Sue Paint Companies Over Lead Crisis - Evan Casey - Apr 19th, 2025
- Trump Administration Axed Federal Employees Needed for MPS Lead Crisis - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 14th, 2025
Read more about Lead Crisis here
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