Hi John,
One of my favorite parts about lobbying is the opportunity to explore the Capitol, meet with legislators, and ask them questions about how they’re confronting Wisconsin’s biggest environmental challenges – particularly those related to protecting our drinking water, fighting climate change, and defending our freedom to vote.
Since the start of the 2023-24 legislative session, I've met with 51 legislative offices – and I wanted to let you know that I’m seeing the impact of your advocacy on PFAS. We’ll be pushing for more resources to address PFAS contamination during Conservation Lobby Day on April 25 – and I really think we can win this!
Things have shifted since I began my position two years ago. Back then, I asked a lot of questions about PFAS. I was surprised to meet with legislators who never heard of the toxic chemicals, and others who laughed at me for prioritizing the issue. They didn’t believe it was a widespread enough concern to warrant legislative action.
Today, every legislator I’ve met is familiar with PFAS. And, now, no one is laughing.
PFAS have been detected in over 60 municipal drinking water systems – and that doesn’t include smaller towns like Campbell, Stella, and Peshtigo, which have found PFAS in their private wells. It’s now clearer than ever before – PFAS contamination is a statewide issue that needs a statewide response.
As scary as these new data are, they also reflect the progress we’ve made. Because you advocated for voluntary testing, because you joined the fight for standards, because you made your voices heard at the polls, we are finally completing widespread testing, we’re beginning to understand the scale of the problem, and Gov. Evers’ budget proposal includes a $106 million plan to start substantively tackling this contamination.
Now, it’s time to ensure the legislature hears from us about the importance of this plan. Over the past month, I’ve scheduled nearly 120 legislative meetings for our Conservation Lobby Day. I can’t wait for you to join us in Madison to meet with your legislators and share your support for this plan, along with some of the other key conservation and democracy-related proposals included in the governor’s budget.
Make sure to register here and we’ll see you soon,
