U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Fights for Great Lakes Funding in Budget Proposal

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As a member of the bipartisan Senate Great Lakes Task Force, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin is expressing concern in regard to President Donald Trump’s proposed 90 percent cut to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), gutting the program’s funding from $300 million to $30 million in the Fiscal Year 2019 budget request.

Last October, Senator Baldwin wrote to the Trump Administration calling for full funding of $300 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to be included in the Fiscal Year 2019 budget request.

“Investments in the Great Lakes are an investment in the future of Wisconsin’s economy. Rather than supporting the progress towns and cities across Wisconsin are making, President Trump’s budget would stall this effort,” said Senator Baldwin. “We already know GLRI is a critical program for our region, the health of our communities, and the protection of our clean water resources. I will continue to do my part and fight for this important program so we can continue our progress investing in the Great Lakes economy.”

GLRI has invested $331 million for 416 projects in Wisconsin. This has helped the state combat the introduction and spread of invasive species like Asian carp and zebra mussels, which pose a major threat to the ecology and economy of the Great Lakes by devastating the food chain and causing major damage to our ports, pipes and water infrastructure. It has also helped our state clean up polluted sites and restore water quality in Wisconsin.  These investments in the Great Lakes are crucial to protecting drinking water for millions of Americans and to supporting tourism and recreational boating, which contribute more than $12 billion to the economy.

Senator Baldwin has championed the GLRI and protecting our Great Lakes throughout her time in the Senate. Last November, Senator Baldwin, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured $300 million for GLRI in the FY 2018 Interior and Environment funding bill.

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.

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