A Positive Sign from the Bush Administration

Funding Tight for Great Lakes PlanBy Kari LydersenWashington Post Staff WriterTuesday, December 13, 2005; Page A03CHICAGO, Dec. 12 -- The Bush administration on Monday announced a comprehensive strategy to restore and protect the Great Lakes, winning positive reviews for the concept but criticism about uncertain funding.The long-awaited document is the product of discussions among a wide array of government and outside groups. It calls for fighting invasive species and restoring coastal wetlands, as well as curbing agricultural runoff and improving drinking water. The FixChris Cillizza provides daily posts on a range of political topics, from the race for control of Congress in 2006 to scrutinizing the 2008 presidential wannabes.• Ohio: Is Brown the Democrat to Beat?• R.I.: Club For Growth Backs Chafee Opponent• RNC Ad Sparks Controversy• The Fix Archivexml Sign Up for RSS FeedOnline Politics ExtrasJoin The Washington Post's or washingtonpost.com's political staff daily at 11 a.m. ET to talk about the latest political news.• Tuesday: Post White House reporter Peter Baker• Weekly Politics Chat SchedulePolitics TriviaWho was the first Latino to serve in the U.S. Senate?Mel Martinez (R-Fla.)Henry Cisneros (D-Tex.)Joseph Montoya (D-N.M.)Octaviano Larrazolo (R-N.M.)"This is not a publicity stunt," said Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley (D). "It's an exciting time. You shouldn't be cynical about this."Despite ambitious plans that could cost $20 billion over the next 15 years, the Bush administration has made it clear that money for the project will be severely constrained by other budgetary needs. Environmentalists and politicians from both parties have openly questioned the White House commitment.Seeking a more modest infusion up front, Daley joined Ohio Gov. Bob Taft (R) and Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle (D) to ask President Bush for $300 million for short-term priorities. They sent their letter Monday.Despite the disappointment of some politicians and advocates at the administration's decision not to seek more funding, Environmental Protection Agency officials made several specific promises.Among them are $25 million for cleaning up contaminated sediment on the Ashtabula River in Ohio, a tributary to Lake Erie, matching a $7 million state contribution and $18 million from industry groups."We've been waiting for that for a long time," Taft said.

Funding Tight for Great Lakes Plan

It's nice to have a positive thing to say about our president and government these days. A small but good step in the right direction.

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