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Sen. Baldwin: Rumors Of 97 Percent Cut In GL Restoration Fund

U.S. Senate

Sen. Baldwin: Rumors Of 97 Percent Cut In GL Restoration Fund

The budget cut hasn't formally been announced, but already Congressional members from both sides of the aisle are opposed to a rumored 97 percent cut to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin is a member of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force. 

Baldwin outlines what she is hearing...

".....what we are hearing right now is President Trump's budget will include a 97 percent cut in funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and that is in my opinion, just plain wrong...."

Baldwin says the potential de-funding has gotten the attention of Republicans and Democrats in both chambers Congress who oppose the possible cuts. The budget would be $10 million, as opposed to the current appropriation of $300 million.

Baldwin says Congress not long ago approved a five-year extension of the program. The program was first launched in 2010...

"....it's helping protect our Great Lakes from the growth of invasive species like Asian Carp and zebra mussels that pose a great threat to the ecology and economy of the Great Lakes as well as a number of other very important projects to protect the clean water supply...."

The bipartisan group has written a letter to EPA administrator Scott Pruitt condemning the cuts. Baldwin says Pruitt told Senators during his confirmation hearing that he supported the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. She says the Great Lakes provide billions of dollars in economic activity to Wisconsin alone.

Baldwin is scheduled to be in Rhinelander Saturday morning at the Rhinelander Cafe and Pub at 8:30 a.m. talking with Democrat supporters.

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