Show Me the Money

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.

Wisc. Radio Network Interview re Great Lakes Funding

The Wisconsin Radio Network is running a story today featuring yours truly about the importance of Congress - especially appropriators - in following the President’s lead on investing in Great Lakes restoration and economic recovery.

Listen to the Wisconsin Radio Network story

Coalition Urges Obama, Congress to Create Jobs, Heal the Great Lakes in Recovery Package

For Immediate Release: December 11, 2008

Contact:
Jeff Skelding, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition (202) 797-6893
Jordan Lubetkin, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition (734) 887-7109
Minnesota: Darrell Gerber, Clean Water Action-Midwest office, (612) 802-5372
New York: Sean Mahar, Audubon New York, (518) 253-7000
Wisconsin: Melissa Malott, Clean Wisconsin, (608) 220-0167

Coalition Urges Obama, Congress to Create Jobs, Heal the Great Lakes in Recovery Package

ANN ARBOR, MICH. (December 11, 2008)—As Congress works to craft an economic recovery package for President-elect Barack Obama to sign within the first days of taking office, the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition is asking Congress and President-elect Obama to fund projects Read More » »

In His Own Words

In the last weeks of the 2008 Presidential Election, Barack Obama released a 5-point plan to restore the Great Lakes including investing $5 billion federal dollars. Of course, some people called it pandering to possible swing state voters, but it turns out the latest Obama plan was consistent with his past actions.

Obama was the only presidential candidate to respond to HOW’s invitation to speak at our annual conference in 2007. Obama sent emissary Debra Shore – a local Chicago politician – to deliver a statement he wrote sharing his concerns about the Lakes with us.

He said Read More » »

Promise Keepers

It seems safe to assume we won’t be the only ones who will be holding President Elect Barack Obama to his promise to restore the Great Lakes, now that Great Lakes advocate Rahm Emanuel is to be White House Chief of Staff.

With great ferocity, Rahm Emanuel addressed the HOW conference in 2007, imploring us to make sure any candidate for President not only pledged to restore the Great Lakes to win our precious swing votes, but also to hold the winner to it when they took office. Lets hope Mr. Emanuel doesn’t rue the day he lit that fire under 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 » »

Election of Barack Obama Holds ‘Great Promise for Restoration of Great Lakes’

Healing Our Waters®-Great Lakes Coalition

Election of Barack Obama Holds ‘Great Promise for Restoration of Great Lakes’

Coalition Vows to Work with President-Elect, New Congress to Restore and Protect Lakes, Boost Regional Economy

Statement by Jeff Skelding, national campaign director, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition on election of Sen. Barack Obama to President of the United States

ANN ARBOR, MICH. (November 5, 2008)— “The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition is excited about Sen. Barack Obama’s victory and looks forward to working with his Administration and the new Congress for the change we need to restore and protect the Great Lakes—a national icon that is Read More » »

Coalition Welcomes Business Support for Great Lakes

Statement by Jeff Skelding, campaign director, Healing Our Waters® -Great Lakes Coalition

Today, more than 25 prominent regional chambers of commerce in the Great Lakes region—led by the Detroit Regional Chamber—released an agenda to grow the economy. Restoring the Great Lakes is one of the five pillars of the federal legislative agenda.

“The Healing our Waters – Great Lakes Coalition applauds these regional chambers of commerce around the Great Lakes for recognizing that the economic health of this region is inextricably tied to the health of our lakes.

“Today’s announcement by business leaders sends a clear message to Congress and the Presidential candidates: Read More » »

Public Issue #1

While the ink left by Michigan Governor Granholm’s signature is still wet on the Great Lakes Compact, her Lt. Governor John Cherry is embarking on a public awareness tour of the Great Lakes in Michigan. Starting today at Port Huron marking the Earth Voyager’s port of call, Cherry plans to launch his new agenda to talk up the value of the Lakes and get the next President-to-be fully engaged in restoring the Great Lakes. We need to protect this vast fresh water resource and get more federal dollars invested in the clean up and preservation. HOW supports Cherry Read More » »

Michigan Columnist Calls on Voters to Highlight Great Lakes in 2008 Election

Syndicated columnist George Weeks this week highlighted the importance of Michigan to demand more from the 2008 presidential candidates. He writes: the key thing is for Michigan voters to stress the issue as candidates campaign here. He also mentions Michigan’s efforts to move forward on Great Lakes restoration, as well as the Healthy Lakes, Healthy Lives Boat Tour as important ways to get the candidates’ attention this summer. Click here to contact the presidential candidates about the Great Lakes.