Office Visits

Ms. Neagu Goes to Washington

While she didn’t filibuster on the floor of the Senate like Jimmy Stewart in the classic film, Indiana’s Jeanette Neagu - with the Lake Michigan League of Women Voters - did join hundreds of other advocates on Great Lakes Day last week, and picked up some press coverage back home.

Neagu’s quote at the end is spot on:

“Members of Congress ultimately hold the purse strings for the federal government through the annual appropriations process, so it is critical they match the president’s initiative in their own budget resolution and appropriations to restore this treasured resource,” she said.

Michigan Congressional Delegation Recap

Here’s a video Cheryl Mendoza of Freshwater Future on Great Lakes Day summing up some of the Michigan Congressional delegation’s commitment to Great Lakes restoration.

On YouTube: Minnesota Congressional Delegation Recap

Minnesota activists had a productive day urging the state’s Congressional delegation to support programs that restore the Great Lakes and revive the economy.

Watch the video summarizing visits with Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Rep. Jim Oberstar, Rep. Keith Ellison, Rep. Collin Peterson, Rep. Tim Walz.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar: Enthusiasm for White House Commitment to Global Warming

In spite of being the only Senator from Minnesota (at the moment), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) made time to talk with Great Lake advocates.

In a short train ride from the Hart Office Building to the Senate Reception Area with Coalition members from Minnesota, Sen. Klobuchar expressd enthusiasm for President Obama’s commitment to confront global warming through cap-and-trade legislation. President Obama expressed his support for cap-and-trade legislation in his Congressional address last night.

Coalition members gave the senator a quick run-down of Coalition priorities and will follow up with her throughout the year.

Rep. Oberstar Vows to Push Great Lakes Agenda Forward

Following his rousing delivery at last night’s reception at the Canadian Embassy (where he showcased his French language skills—Rep. Jim Oberstar today spoke entirely in English.

In a Hill visit today, Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN) vowed to forge ahead on a robust Great Lakes agenda and push Coalition priorities.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman has been a firm supporter of the lakes, and the coalition will look to him to continue to be a leader in the House of Representatives to gain some key victories in this session of Congress.

Rep. Ehlers Continues Support for Lake Restoration

Michigan advocates met today with Rep. Vern Ehlers (R-MI).

The representative affirmed his support for the Clean Water Restoration Act, saying he was willing to “go out on a limb” to pass the bill.

Rep. Ehlers also voiced strong support for other funding priorities of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, including boosting the authorization of Great Lakes Legacy Act to $150 million. A long-standing supporter of toxic sediment clean-up, Ehlers was optimistic that the bill would pass at the increased authorization level.

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 Read More » »

Ballast Battle Lines Drawn

Wisconsin is the latest state to add their patch to the quilt of ballast water regulations that is quickly being sewn across the Great Lakes region as the states battle invasive species. Wisconsin recently revealed proposed regulations that would set a high bar for Ocean going ships that want to dock in the state’s ports.

“We’ve seen every single great lakes state go above and beyond what the Federal Government requires,” said Jen Nalbone from Great Lakes United. Under the Clean Water Act’s section 401 states have the authority to regulate ballast water and the Great Lakes states have shown they Read More » »

The Great Lakes: An Economic Super Region

Last winter, a group of people came to Washington - people who usually compete with one another to draw business to their cities – people who left the Capital united and committed to working together to bring back the Great Lakes region.

“A year ago we came together to try and approach the Federal Government collectively with a strategic agenda for dollars and policy for an economic super region: the Great Lakes. We think we have a compelling story to tell,” said Andrew Rudnick, president and CEO for the Buffalo Niagara Partnership at a Press Conference. The Great Lakes Read More » »

You Did It!

Something unprecedented happened this week – all sixteen of the Great Lakes US Senators joined forces to tell the Budget Committee that the Great Lakes deserve more money. Can anyone remember a time when all sixteen Senators have come together, across party lines, to sign such a letter before?

“The longer we wait to meet the problems facing the Great Lakes, the more expensive and difficult they will be to solve. To meet just a small demand of problems identified by the Strategy and challenges, we recommend significant funding increases for all Great Lakes specific programs,” the letter states.

Could it Read More » »