Conservation voters encouraged by first look at water quality budget items

MADISON – Wisconsin Conservation Voters is encouraged by Gov. Tony Evers’ call for an additional $70 million in bonding to address the growing drinking water crisis in the state.

The bonding will help farmers build infrastructure that reduces agricultural pollution, help replace toxic lead water pipes, enforce new manure spreading rules, and increase educational programs – among other initiatives.

Government Affairs Director Jennifer Giegerich said this about the announcement:

“It’s refreshing to hear the Evers administration is ready to face the state’s drinking water crisis head on. If this year is going to be the year of clean drinking water, legislators now must join that fight. It’s been far too long that many of our elected leaders have allowed toxic drinking water to harm their constituents. For conservation voters across Wisconsin, it’s always been clear: every person in our state must have clean, safe drinking water. Period. It’s time for us to unite and solve this problem – for us, for our kids, and for their kids. We look forward to working with the Evers administration to encourage our legislators to be true champions for their districts as the budget process moves forward.”

Contact Ryan Billingham, communications director, 608-208-1129 or ryan@conservationvoters.org