Governors

White House Party Crashers? Not the Great Lakes Governors

Oh to be a fly on the wall at the White House Asian Carp Summit next Monday, February 8. Who doesn’t want to be there? The Great Lakes Attorney Generals have requested an invite, Healing Our Waters and others working on Great Lakes restoration asked to be a part of the meeting and some have even suggested it be open to the public. That is why it seems so strange that only three Great Lakes Governors are attending. Why aren’t all the Great Lakes Governors trying to get in on a meeting dealing with a region wide crisis?

We need an Read More » »

Wisconsin Gov Talks Clean Energy and Jobs

Wisconsin Governor James Doyle (D) has provided E&ETV with an argument for climate change legislation from his state’s perspective. This is a very interesting piece since the Great Lakes state of Wisconsin is a steeped in the manufacturing sector, but there are also a heck of a lot of farms there – the very type of states targeted by opponents of the legislation. In fact, Wisconsin has moved ahead of the Federal government with state legislation that addresses climate change. The Governor also discusses how federal stimulus funds will help build jobs in his state. To view the video or Read More » »

Gov. Quinn’s Advice for Great Lakes Day

Illinois newly minted Governor Pat Quinn – in Washington for the National Governor’s Association meeting – spoke to the members of the Great Lakes Commission yesterday. The Commission, that Gov. Quinn chairs, is also in Washington to urge Congress to make the Great Lakes a legislative and funding priority.

Quinn urged Great Lakes advocates to press President Barack Obama to make good on his campaign promise and appoint a Great Lakes Czar – a point person for restoration.

“We need to get a Great Lakes Czar,” Gov. Quinn said. “Someone who can get in touch with the Read More » »

The Future Is Bright, Says Gov. Doyle

As Chair of the Council of Great Lakes Governors, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle has a unique perspective on the impact President-Elect Barack Obama could have on restoration as well as the region’s economy. In this exclusive Question and Answer session, Gov. Doyle considers what the outcome of this historic election will mean for the Great Lakes.

HOW: Why are the Great Lakes a concern for our entire nation and why should restoration be made a priority of the President-elect?

Governor Doyle: The election of Barack Obama to President will boost all state, regional, and national efforts to support the Great Lakes. Read More » »

Governor Doyle: Great Lakes Need To Be A Priority For Congress and The President

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle has been credited with putting the green back into Wisconsin policies, and it appears he is trying to share the enthusiasm across the Great Lakes region. As Chair of the Council of Great Lakes Governors, Doyle, a Democrat, held a press conference recently and launched the first pitch for aggressive action to save the Great Lakes and asked presidential hopefuls to outline their vision for the Great Lakes. Now, he has taken time to share with HOW his thoughts on why the Great Lakes are so vital to the region and the nation, why national Read More » »

Governors to Presidential Candidates: Support Great Lakes Restoration

ANN ARBOR, MI (November 8)—The governors of all eight Great Lakes states—home to many of the battleground states in next year’s presidential election—are expected today to urge candidates seeking the White House to support the restoration of the Great Lakes.

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle, who serves as chairman of the Council of Great Lakes Governors, will put forward the challenge weeks after Democratic presidential hopeful and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson ignited a firestorm after implying in a speech that Great Lakes water was open for taking by thirsty Western states.

The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition applauded the action by Gov. Read More » »

Indiana Gov Calls for Review of BP Decision

Sorry, Mitch, the BP permit issue is not going away, but then you know that don’t you? After a rather loud public outcry, including a spanking from the U.S. Congress, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels has called for a review of the state environmental agency’s decision to allow British Petroleum to expand their Whiting Refinery on Lake Michigan. 

While calling for a “credible, independent evaluation of the permitting decision and outcome” might lead readers to think the Governor may reconsider the permit, it is more likely he is looking for a heavy rubber stamp to squelch protests. BP spokesman Tom Read More » »