| The 2022 midterm elections are upon us. By the writing of next month’s newsletter, we’ll know which party controls which chamber, and have a clearer picture of which direction the legislative outlook is going to swing. Recent polling shows the Republicans well poised to take back the House, but the Senate is still anyone’s guess. The balance of power will depend on a few key races; among them Arizona, Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. After five straight weeks of a Democrat lead, Republicans are now more likely to say they are “extremely” or “very” enthusiastic about voting in the midterm elections. Will that enthusiasm hold on election day? We’ll all find out soon enough. It's been nonstop for many out on the campaign trail, but with everyone back in their home state for the recess, it’s been quiet on Capitol Hill. With one of our team members out traversing the Midwest and mountain states in search of pheasants and ducks, and another spending time in beautiful Maine, we are certainly taking advantage of the lull to log some outdoor time while working remotely. One of the highlights for us of this past month was the launch of our new webpage and report, Land Water Conservation Fund: A State-by-State Outlook; Implications from Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Policies. Established in 1964, the Land Water Conservation Fund’s (LWCF) main source of project funding is from offshore oil and gas revenues. Annually the fund receives nearly $900 million and is responsible for significant funding and support of America’s national parks, wildlife refuges, national forests, historic sites, local community projects, and other outdoor space and public works. Our research details more than 2,000 LWCF-funded projects, going back to 2016, by state and congressional district. In addition, a new interactive map shows every LWCF project, including funding levels, project descriptions, and comparative funding data with other states. This work highlights the Fund’s overall benefits and provides insight into the type of projects that will be at risk without LWCF funding. This month we were also pleased to welcome Congressman Garret Graves of Louisiana’s 6th District to the bicameral Roosevelt Conservation Caucus. Rep. Graves sits on the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee, and the Select Committee on Climate. We know the Congressman will make an excellent addition to the caucus, and we are happy to have him on board. That’s it for us this month. Don’t forget, we’d love to see what you all are up to during your outdoor recreation adventures, so when you post your photos to Facebook, be sure to tag us (@conservamerica). And please remember to VOTE on Tuesday, November 8! |
