AFGE EPA Council Responds to Proposed EPA FY2012 Budget
Every American will be adversely impacted by EPA budget cuts
CHICAGO, July 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The leadership of EPA's largest Union (AFGE), expressed its disbelief over the direction that Congress is taking to purposefully gut the Agency's ability to protect human health and the environment, particularly when almost every poll concludes that Americans want clean air and water.
The American Federation of Government Employees National Council of EPA Locals #238 President Charles Orzehoskie stated, "Today the House issued its proposed budget for EPA demonstrating their lack of commitment to protecting human health and the environment. This proposed budget is worse than anything we saw under the previous Administration."
"The House's proposal would fund EPA at $7.1 billion, which is $1.5 billion below FY2011's reduced funding of $8.6 billion. It's been almost two decades since EPA has been funded at this dollar level," added Council Treasurer John O'Grady.
"States will also be impacted by an additional $967 million cut to the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and $102 million cut in grants for state implementation of environmental programs," added Orzehoskie. "It is important to note that cuts to the State Revolving Funds do little to reduce the overall federal deficit, because these dollars are loaned to local communities who repay most of the money back to the government. These programs are designed to improve this nation's infrastructure, and more importantly create jobs," continued Orzehoskie.
"These cuts will seriously impair EPA's ability to protect this nation's most vulnerable citizens – children, women of child-bearing age, people with asthma, diabetes, emphysema, heart disease and the elderly. In addition, State, Local, municipal and tribal partners who rely on funding from EPA to assist them in carrying out the Federal laws, may find it necessary to slash their environmental programs," added O'Grady.
"While these proposed cuts target the nation's most vulnerable citizens, including minorities, every American will be adversely impacted. AFGE Council 238 believes that it should now be clear to most Americans that Congress is proposing to turn back the clock on environmental protection," concluded Orzehoskie.
CONTACT: Charles Orzehoskie
(312) 886-2776
SOURCE AFGE National Council of EPA Locals #238
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