News from Northeast-Midwest Institute

W E E K L Y U P D A T E March 12,

2018

In This Issue

U.S. Water Alliance and NEWMI Briefing

Great Lakes Week

This Week on Capitol Hill

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Northeast-Midwest Institute

News

U.S. Water Alliance and NEMWI Co-Host Briefing on an Equitable Water Future

A Congressional briefing and report launch on "An Equitable Water Future: Opportunities of the Great Lakes Region" was hosted by the U.S. Water Alliance and the Northeast-Midwest Institute on Tuesday, March 6. The briefing speakers were highlighted by Representative Bob Gibbs and Representative Gwyn Moore and also included several top utility, community, and philanthropic leaders. In addition to presenting the newly released report, the briefing highlighted the latest innovations from the Great Lakes Region that are forging progress in providing access to affordable and safe water to American families.

Moderator: Radhika Fox, CEO, U.S. Water Alliance

Speakers:

SeMia Bray, Director, Emerald Cities Cleveland
Elizabeth Cisar, Senior Program Officer for the Environment Program, Joyce Foundation
Josina Morita, Commissioner, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
Kevin Shafer, Executive Director, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District

For more information, please contact Matthew McKenna , Director of the Great Lakes Washington Program at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.

Great Lakes Week Highlighted by the Great Lakes Congressional Breakfast

The much-anticipated Great Lakes Week took place from March 6-8. The annual event included the Great Lakes Commission's Semiannual Meeting in Washington, D.C. The meeting featured dialogue on Great Lakes priorities by stakeholders and regional leaders. The event also offered an opportunity for Great Lakes leaders to share solutions and discuss prominent issues. Also part of Great Lakes Week was the Annual Great Lakes Congressional Breakfast Reception, co-hosted by the Great Lakes Commission and the Northeast-Midwest Institute.

The Breakfast Reception kicked off with an introduction and welcoming remarks from Northeast-Midwest Institute President and CEO Michael Goff and Great Lakes Commission Chair John Linc Stine. Several members of the Great Lakes delegation addressed over 150 participants.

Speakers included: Senate Great Lakes Task Force co-chairs Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Rob Portman (OH); Senators Dick Durbin (IL) and Tammy Baldwin (WI); House Northeast-Midwest Coalition co-chair David Joyce; House Great Lakes Task Force co-chair Marcy Kaptur (OH); and Representatives Mike Bishop (MI), Debbie Dingell (MI), Brian Higgins (NY), Mike Kelly (PA), and Fred Upton (MI).

This Week on Capitol Hill

Congress will continue negotiating a FY19 omnibus appropriations bill, with the current bill expiring on March 23.

A full list of key Congressional committee activity that impacts the region can be viewed below:

Tuesday, March 13

The Senate Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet Committee will convene a hearing titled, "Rebuilding Infrastructure in America: Investing in Next Generation Broadband," at 10:00 AM in the Russell Senate Office Building, Room 253.

The Senate Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security Subcommittee will convene a hearing titled, "Rebuilding Infrastructure in America: State and Local Transportation Needs," at 2:30 PM in the Russell Senate Office Building, Room 253.

Wednesday, March 14

The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee will convene a hearing titled, "Rebuilding Infrastructure in America: Administration Perspectives," at 10:00 AM in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 106.

The House Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee will convene a hearing titled "Review of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request for the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Programs," at 11:00 AM in the Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2167.
The House Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee will convene for a hearing titled "Building a 21st Century Infrastructure for America: Water Resources Projects and Policy," at 10:00 AM in the Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2167.

House Appropriation's Energy and Water Development Subcommittee and Related Agencies will convene for a hearing titled, "
FY19 Budget Hearing -U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation
," at 10:00 AM in Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2362.

Thursday, March 15

House Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee, and Related Agencies will convene for a hearing titled, "FY 19 Budget Hearing- The Department of Transportation," at 9:30 AM in the Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2358.

House Appropriations Energy and Water Development Committee and Related Agencies will convene for a hearing titled, "FY19 Budget Hearing- The Department of Energy," at 10:00 AM in the Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2362.

The House Natural Resources Committee will convene for a hearing titled "Policy Priorities at the Department of the Interior and the Administration's Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Proposal," at 10:00 AM in the Longworth Office Building, Room 1324.

For more information, please email info@nemw.org .

NEMWI: Strengthening the Region that Sustains the Nation