Republican Congressman Jim Renacci Votes Against Lake Erie
Stark Difference Between Senator Sherrod Brown and Opponent on Ohio’s Greatest Natural Resource
Columbus, Ohio — Last week, on the very same day that Ohio declared the western portion of Lake Erie impaired, Republican Rep. Jim Renacci voted against millions of dollars in funding to help restore the Great Lakes. Renacci’s opposition stands in stark contrast to the bipartisan group of Ohio lawmakers who came together in support of funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, including Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown.
“Lake Erie is Ohio’s greatest natural resource, an economic engine, and drinking water source for millions of people,” said Aryeh Alex, Director of the Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund. “When Ohioans go to the poll this November, they will have a choice to vote for a champion of Lake Erie in US Senator Sherrod Brown, or a Congressman that doesn’t think protecting drinking water and stopping toxic algae is important.”
Restoring and protecting our Great Lakes is vital to Ohio communities and am important issue in this year’s election. Toxic algae blooms threaten millions of Ohioans’ access to clean water, as well as the region’s economy:
- In 2014, nearly half a million Ohioans in the Toledo region were impacted by a tap water ban due to toxic algae blooms in Lake Erie. Residents were advised not to use their water for drinking, cooking, or bathing.
- Studies show that algae blooms have cost Ohio homeowners millions of dollars in lost property values and have a devastating impact on Ohio’s tourism and recreational industries.
- Toxic algae blooms continue to plague Lake Erie, and carry the potential to sicken or kill people, fish, birds, dogs, livestock, and plants.
As The Youngstown Vindicator editorial board wrote, last week’s bipartisan vote in support of funding for Great Lakes restoration was, “one of the more notable victories of common sense over recklessness in the era of President Donald Trump.” By voting against the funding, Rep. Renacci turned his back on the many Ohio communities that rely on Lake Erie.
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