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Northeast-Midwest Weekly Update – 3 May 2004 Headlines · Manufacturing Extension Partnership · Invasive Species · Clean Water · Lead Poisoning · Manufacturing Briefing
MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP -------------------------------------------------------- Senators are seeking signatures on a letter that asks the Commerce Secretary to transfer and reprogram fiscal 2004 funds to the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). At the current $39.6-million level, as many as 40 MEP centers could lose all federal funding, leaving small manufacturers across the country without invaluable technical and business assistance. Signing the letter are Senators Jack Reed (R-RI), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Herb Kohl (D-WI), Arlen Specter (R-PA), Joseph Lieberman (D-CT), and Mike DeWine (R-OH). The signature deadline is May 5. Contact: Kris Sarri at the Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition (202/224-0606).
INVASIVE SPECIES ------------------------ Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) are inviting senators to cosponsor the National Aquatic Invasive Species Act (S.525) that is critical to the health of the nation's economy and coastal resources.
Senators Levin and Collins also are requesting signatures on a letter that seeks funding for critical programs authorized in the National Invasive Species Act of 1996. The requests are for $7 million in Interior Appropriations; $4 million in Home Security Appropriations; $15 million in Energy and Water Appropriations; and $8 million for Commerce, Justice, State and the Judiciary Appropriations. The funding will support a coordinated federal, state, and local effort to combat aquatic invasive species. Contact: Joy Mulinex with the Great Lakes Task Force (202/224-1211).
CLEAN WATER ------------------ Senators Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), James Jeffords (I-VT), and George Voinovich (R-OH) are circulating a letter that asks appropriators to provide $3.2 billion for Clean Water and $2.0 billion for Drinking Water accounts in fiscal 2005. Contact: Kris Sarri at the Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition (202/224-0606).
LEAD POISONING Contacts: John Hetterick with Senator Reed (202/224-4642), Alec Porteous with Senator Collins (202/224-5512), or Jennifer Sharp with Senator DeWine (202/224-7750).
MANUFACTURING BRIEFING The National Coalition for Advanced Manufacturing (NACFAM) on Monday, May 3, will host a briefing on industry views towards a comprehensive manufacturing strategy. The briefing will reveal a report that results from a March meeting among 35 manufacturing organizations. The report concludes that a manufacturing resurgence in the U.S. requires a broad policy strategy encompassing tax policy, overhead reduction, technology and innovation, workforce education, and trade policy. The May 3 event will run from 10:00 am until 11:00 am in 418 Russell Senate Office Building.
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