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
- Baldwin Delivers $850,000 to Reduce Lead in Schools and Childcare Facilities Throughout Wisconsin - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - Aug 29th, 2024
- Baldwin Delivers Over $83 Million to Replace Lead Pipes, Expand Access to Safe Drinking Water - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - May 2nd, 2024
- Congresswoman Gwen Moore Statement on Milwaukee Designation as Workforce Hub - U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore - Apr 26th, 2024
- Biden Announces Milwaukee As New “Workforce Hub” For Lead Pipe Removal - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 25th, 2024
- Senator Baldwin Delivers Nearly $2 Million to Keep Wausau Families Safe from Lead Contamination - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - Apr 12th, 2024
- IRS Rules that Homeowners Won’t Have to Pay Additional Taxes for Subsidized Replacement of Lead Pipes - Milwaukee Water Works - Feb 29th, 2024
- Milwaukee Makes It Far Easier To Replace Your Lead Service Line - Jeramey Jannene - Dec 18th, 2023
- Congresswoman Gwen Moore Praises Biden Administration Effort to Remove Lead Pipes in 10 Years - U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore - Nov 30th, 2023
- Biden-Harris Administration Announces Partnership with 10 Wisconsin Communities to Accelerate Lead Service Line Replacement as Part of Investing in America Agenda - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Nov 2nd, 2023
- Evers, DNR Announce $402 Million Funding to Improve Local Drinking Water - Henry Redman - Oct 24th, 2023
Read more about Lead Crisis here