Member Pipeline - Fax Alerts - October 26, 2001
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October 26, 2001
As Congress Debates Stimulus Package
AMSA Urges Senate to Fund Water Infrastructure, Create Jobs
AMSA sent a letter to all Senators today urging them to back funding for water and wastewater infrastructure construction projects in the economic stimulus package currently being debated on Capitol Hill. As the letter points out, in a survey conducted over the past several weeks by AMSA, "municipal officials have submitted to AMSA $3.208 billion worth of projects that are fully designed and ready to go to construction. Each $1 billion in sewer and water improvements generates more than 40,000 jobs." Although the House of Representatives narrowly passed a stimulus bill this week that did not include infrastructure funding, the Democratic Senate is poised to introduce a stimulus package focusing on job creation, including significant infrastructure funding.AMSA thanks all its members who participated in its survey and urges those who have not yet responded to contact Lee Garrigan at 202/833-2672 or at lgarrigan@amsa-cleanwater.org as soon as possible with information on the type of ready-to-go construction projects that are beyond the design phase, and the amount of funding your utility would need to complete these projects. Although final stimulus legislation is not expected until late in November, the debate over the stimulus bill is well underway and member data plays a critical role as AMSA continues to work with Congress. AMSA's letter is available on its web site at http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/private/legreg/outreach/10-26-01daschle.pdf.
AMSA Seeks Senate Action on Water Conservation in Farm Bill
AMSA and a coalition of key organizations, including the National League of Cities and the United States Conference of Mayors, sent a letter this week to Senators on the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee saying, "[o]n behalf of the nation's cities, towns and townships and its water and wastewater utilities, we are writing to urge your active support of a stronger emphasis on conservation, pollution prevention, and the protection of our vital water resources in the Farm Bill. Specifically, we recommend a significant increase in funding for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program aimed at improving water quality in watersheds nationwide in cooperation with local water utilities." Although similar water quality measures were voted down in a narrow House vote earlier this month, the Democratic Senate is poised to support conservation funding. While it remains unclear if the Senate will vote this year on the Farm Bill, AMSA will update members regularly on this issue. The Farm Bill letter is at http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/private/legreg/outreach/10-18-01nlcletter.pdf.
- Register Today! The deadline for advance registration for the 2001 Law Seminar, Developments in Water and Wastewater Law, is Wednesday, October 31. Register online at http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/meetings/ or call Lisa Dubois Headley, Director, Member and Internal Services, at 202/833-2672.