Political Quotes

“For our majority colleagues, I deeply appreciate my colleague's comments in support of his amendment and his appreciation and understanding of the communities that he represents, in terms of the impacts of climate change and other man-made causes not only on our oceans, because we tend to focus on our oceans, but on our lakes, to include our Great Lakes. The Great Lakes are currently experiencing nearly record high water levels, causing widespread erosion of beaches and property and costing people their lives. In fact, there have been over 50 percent more deaths in the Great Lakes in 2019 because of these dangerous conditions compared to 2018. These high lake levels are forecast to continue for 2020 and, in all likelihood, beyond. Just this month, 12 Michigan State lawmakers asked Governor Whitmer to declare a state of emergency for the Lake Michigan shoreline because of water levels. Resilient, living shorelines are one of the best options for the Great Lakes communities dealing with the impacts of high lake levels, as they are for other communities in the body of this bill. Our majority does support my colleague's amendment to be sure that this money does find its way to where it is most needed. I support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.”