NEMWI Launches New

Voices From the Great Lakes Program

Today, NEMWI launched a new program, Voices from the Great Lakes, that will provide a forum for experts and scholars to give insights into issues that impact the Great Lakes region. VGL will be a series of guest essays from leading Great Lakes researchers, policymakers, stakeholders, and more that will showcase key perspectives that help shape federal policy discussions in Washington, D.C.

The inaugural Voice, and the first of a three-part series on the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, is written by Cam Davis, vice president at GEI Consultants, and elected commissioner at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. An introduction is below:

"It’s not hyperbole to say it: the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is now known throughout North America as a $4-plus billion investment that’s helping the Midwest’s credible clean water revival. It’s sparked jobs, ecological vibrancy, community excitement, and even rallied bipartisanship in an era when it feels elusive. 

Other ecoregions around the country, long the envy of Great Lakes program funding, would within a matter of years see the script flipped, with their stakeholders asking how the Great Lakes pulled it off so that they could, too. Political pundits, predicting inertia over momentum, came to wonder how they could have been so surprised. And for those who think partisanship always trumps partnership, the program proved them wrong.

But what’s the program’s origin story? And why is it important to know?  

Understanding the GLRI’s genealogy—including some of its early heroes—can provide a stratagem for success today and into the future. 

And even most Great Lakes scholars might be surprised to know that the historical head waters of the GLRI can be charted to an understated but vital gathering in Washington, D.C. nearly a quarter century ago."

Read part one of Cam’s Voice in its entirety here or at

nemw.org/reports-output/vgl

Also, sign up here to get new Voices directly in your inbox the moment they publish, and/or our Weekly Update and notices about NEMWI events.

NEMWI Releases Updated Manufacturing Legislative Tracker of the 118th Congress

NEMWI’s Manufacturing Legislative Tracker is newly updated and shows a total of 103 bills introduced in the House of Representatives and 50 bills introduced in the Senate, although most of these bills have made no progress in Congress to date. Legislation that has advanced through Congress is highlighted in yellow or orange.

A bill to keep an eye on is the Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act. Introduced to the House in September 2023, this bipartisan bill has been marked up and voted out of committee favorably with a 45-0 unanimous vote. It would be very influential to the manufacturing sector and make important information for both consumers and producers easier to access.

Also among the newly introduced bills is the Workforce Solutions Act, which was introduced in the House on December 14, 2023. It was introduced by Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-LA) and referred to the Committees on Education and the Workforce and Energy and Commerce. It would require the Secretaries of Labor and Energy to jointly create an annual analysis of occupations and careers that are impacted by energy and manufacturing industries. The analysis would include “information on growth; entry-level occupations; prerequisites for occupations; living wage salaries; career paths; barriers to acquiring employment; and how digital technology advancements are impacting the critical manufacturing industry.”

Another newly introduced bill is the Protecting American Advanced Manufacturing Act introduced by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), which has a companion bill in the House. This bill “prohibits companies associated with governments of foreign adversaries from receiving the advanced manufacturing production tax credit.” This bill, if passed, would have a positive impact on American manufacturing and infrastructure and possibly reduce manufacturing costs in the United States.

A link to the updated Manufacturing Legislative Tracker can be found here.

Reported by NEMWI Intern Molly Lienemann, Augustana University

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on Social Media

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