Lawmakers speak out against proposed cuts to Great Lakes funding

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Congress is proposing a 30% to 75% cut in funding for the Great Lakes.

Milwaukee and Wisconsin leaders say both the state and city would be greatly affected, so now they are speaking out in an effort to stop the cuts from being made.

"I'm asking my colleagues on the House side consider the powerful economic impact the great Lakes have not only in Wisconsin, but in the region and in our entire country,” said Sen. Tammy Baldwin.

Sen. Baldwin, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Racine Mayor John Dickert and a spokesperson for Representative of Milwaukee Congresswoman Gwen Moore held a press conference Monday in Milwaukee, overlooking Lake Michigan. They said they wanted to send a message to US Representatives.

The Senate's proposed budget in the great lakes restoration fund is $300,000,000 versus $210,000,000 proposed by the house. The money goes toward keeping the lakes clean -- for everything from recreation and tourism, to drinking water.

“This incredible resource is 20 percent of the world's surface fresh water supply and well over 30 million people use this as their drinking source,” explained Mayor Barrett.

“It's time to continue investments in one our most valuable resources and continue making progress in Wisconsin's economic recovery,” said Sen. Baldwin.

The proposed cut of nearly 90 million dollars has generated a lot of opposition... And as far as Wisconsin is concerned its bipartisan opposition. Back in April, 38 members of congress signed a letter to the Appropriations Committee requesting funding for the great lakes restoration fund. Both democrat and republican representatives from Wisconsin signed.

And it’s not just state leaders weighing in. The mayors of Racine and Milwaukee said without the money, the change will be noticeable here in Wisconsin, and they said it will happen fast.

“If you get away from what we are doing in Racine Wisconsin, for even a year or two, the beaches can go back to an unswimmable beach,” said Racine Mayor John Dickert.

"Our message here today is we have to have the funding for the great Lakes to provide communities of all sizes,” said Mayor Barrett.

Over the past three years, Wisconsin has received almost $180,000,000 under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

Only three U.S. Congressmen from Wisconsin did not sign the letter to the Appropriations Committee back in April requesting funding for the great lakes restoration fund: representatives Sean Duffy, Paul Ryan and James Sensenbrenner. All three are republicans. But Rep. Tom Petri, also a republican, did sign.  Rep. Duffy has also spoken out against the cuts in the past.