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A new study shows health disparities cost Texas billions of dollars; Senate rejects impeachment articles against Mayorkas, ending trial against Cabinet secretary; Iowa cuts historical rural school groups.

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The Senate dismisses the Mayorkas impeachment. Maryland Lawmakers fail to increase voting access. Texas Democrats call for better Black maternal health. And polling confirms strong support for access to reproductive care, including abortion.

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Rural Wyoming needs more vocational teachers to sustain its workforce pipeline, Ohio environmental advocates fear harm from a proposal to open 40-thousand forest acres to fracking and rural communities build bike trail systems to promote nature, boost the economy.

Great Lakes Bill to Make a Splash With State Lawmakers

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Wednesday, May 14, 2008   

Madison, WI – A vote is expected today in the Wisconsin legislature on the Great Lakes Compact, a multi-state agreement, long in the works, to protect the waters in the Great Lakes Basin.

Anne Sayers with the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters says the plan gives strong protections to the lakes, and is good news for Wisconsinites who rely on them for recreation, jobs, and drinking water.

"The Great Lakes Compact will prevent, with very limited exceptions, other states and countries from diverting water outside of the Great Lakes basin. It also puts into place some measures for water conservation, and for monitoring and measuring of how we use water within the basin."

Sayers says thousands of Wisconsinites have gotten involved in this issue, and they've been waiting a long time for this vote.

"This Great Lakes Compact vote is absolutely historic; it has been seven years in the making, so this is a huge victory for all Wisconsin citizens who value fishing, swimming, hunting, or boating along the shores or on our lakes."

One sticking point in the bill was the ability of communities near the lakes to get access to water from them. Sayers says the final version will give those communities a fair shot at making their case for such access.

"It is going to be easier for communities looking for water to apply for it. They can demonstrate why they need water and give the other states the ability to weigh that on fair grounds."

She says after months of negotiation, the Great Lakes bill is likely to pass by a large margin.


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