Bush budget shortchanges Great Lakes

President Bush's recently unveiled 2009 budget shortchanges the Great Lakes, according to an AP report. The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition analyzed the budget proposal and concluded that the presidents request of about $300 million for Great Lakes programs was a reduction of over $50 million from what was appropriated for 2008. That means less money for sewage upgrades and the ongoing battle against invasive species.

"The White House budget fails the Great Lakes and the millions of people who depend on them for their jobs and their way of life," said Jeff Skelding, director of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition.

There is also a $50 million reduction in funds for harbor dredgeing. $140 million was appropriated this year but the President is proposing to slash that to less than $90 million.

"The lakes are already suffering with extremely low water levels," said Patrick J. O'Hern, president of the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force. "Now is the worst imaginable time for any reduction in Great Lakes dredging funds."

Although I appreciate the hard work of these folks have done analyzing the president's budget, I do wonder how relevant it is. It seems highly unlikely that the 2009 budget of an extremely unpopular lame duck president has any chance of approval, or that Congress will show fiscal restraint in an election year. If anything, perhaps the president has done us all a favor by providing an opportunity to rally the residents of the Great Lakes in their support.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Sponsored by:

      

_______________________________________________________________________________________