http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/internet-rural-s5.jpgThe internet, like the waterways, railways, and highways before it, has become the road to participation in the 21st century economy. Wisconsin ranks last in the Midwest in both rural and urban broadband, and neither the Governor’s proposed budget funding or a bill authored by Sen. Marklein provide rural areas with the investment necessary to make us competitive.

The Federal budget proposed by President Trump would cut funding to preserve and improve our area's fresh water treasure from $300 million to $10 million. Stand up for the lakes with the a plan from the League of Women Voters.

MADISON - Funding for the Great Lakes is cut by 97% in President Trump’s proposed budget, from $300 million to $10 million.  Only $10 million for projects in eight states surrounding all five Great Lakes means that virtually no restoration, protection or research projects will be possible to ensure the future of our natural treasures.

Five members of LWV Lake Michigan Region are traveling to Washington DC to tell Congress that League members support the Great Lakes and that funding is critical. Help get the message across by calling your Representative and Senators on March 14, 15, or 16 and tell them that the Great Lakes are important to you.

Tell them to stand strong for the lakes and support:

• Maintenance of $300 million in Great Lakes funding through the EPA.
• Increases in water infrastructure program funding. We need to replace and improve our wastewater and drinking water systems so that no other community experiences a crisis like our friends in the LWV of Flint, Michigan.
• If your legislator has already pledged to fight for the Great Lakes funding, say thanks!

Any member of Congress may be reached through the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. To get their direct phone numbers, use your zip code to look up who represents you.

Our members will be posting about their experiences on Capitol Hill on social media. Follow along at facebook.com/LWVLakeMichigan/ and on twitter at @lakelwv.

Please amplify the messages our members bring to Congress by sharing this request among your networks. And be sure to make those calls yourself!

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/walker-open-for-business-s5.jpgNE WI Senator Dave Hansen teams with SE WI Republican to introduce legislation that would make it a crime to commit fraud in pursuit of taxpayer economic development assistance from WEDC.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/veterans-012015-s5.jpgPast decisions to divert funds from the veterans nursing homes to the Veterans Fund and the “banking” of $35 million in revenue reserves has led to the deterioration of facilities and care. Erpenbach wants to reestablish Legislative oversight of all funding.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/clean-drinking-water-s5.jpgNewly proposed Wisconsin Senate SB76 and Assembly AB105 are Republican sponsored bills both relating to replacement, reconstruction, and transfer of an approved high capacity well, recommendation of special groundwater measures by the DNR, and metering requirements and grants for certain high capacity wells.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/money-nothing-2-s5.jpgWisconsin Loses 4000 More Manufacturing Jobs as Republican tax giveaway approaches $300 million a year.