Hi John,
As you know, it’s been nearly six months since Gov. Evers signed $125 million for a PFAS Trust Fund into the state budget. The Republican-controlled legislature has failed to deliver a structure for how that funding can be distributed to impacted communities. With little time left before the end of the legislative session, their only proposal on the table is SB 312 – a bill that still contains a dangerous poison pill.
>>>TAKE ACTION: Thank Gov. Evers for his work on PFAS.
Additionally, we just learned the DNR’s efforts to set a PFAS groundwater standard will need to pause, until the legislature passes a bill permitting them to continue. This is due to the REINS Act, a piece of bad legislation signed during the Walker administration that places strict limitations on the DNR’s ability to advance public health-based standards.
But there’s good news: Today, Gov. Evers announced the DNR is submitting their own request to the Joint Finance Committee to unlock funding from the PFAS Trust Fund. This would allow the DNR to get funding to impacted communities, without needing to repeatedly go to the gerrymandered Joint Finance Committee. It’s a common-sense solution that would expedite the process for delivering needed relief to communities impacted by PFAS.
And specific to PFAS groundwater standards: In response to the REINS Act limitations, Gov. Evers sent a draft bill to legislative Republicans. If passed, this legislation would permit rulemaking to continue. Gov. Evers is making the best of a difficult situation by continuing to fight for the 70 percent of Wisconsinites who rely on groundwater for their water supply.
>>>TAKE ACTION: Thank Gov. Evers for his work on PFAS.
We’re grateful to Gov. Evers for his leadership and also know that our my-way-or-the-highway gerrymandered legislature will likely push back. Will you thank Gov. Evers for his leadership? It’s time to get PFAS funding out the door (without polluter loopholes) and ensure that we can get a PFAS groundwater standard across the finish line.
After the holidays, we’ll follow up with more information on how we can ensure the legislature takes action.
In the meantime, thank Gov. Evers here.
