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Notes from the West Wing

By State Representative Garey Bies

The Great Lakes Compact

As I reported in the last edition of the Notes from the West Wing, the stage was set for the legislature to pass the Great Lakes Compact and yesterday that finally occurred.  With overwhelming votes of approval in both the State Assembly and State Senate, Wisconsin is now primed to be the fifth state (of eight) to enact the Great Lakes Compact.  All that remains in this process is for the Governor to sign the Compact legislation.

I know I have talked at length about the Great Lakes Compact in these e-updates, but I felt that such discussion was necessary so that you, as readers, were aware of all the factors affecting the legislative process.  It was clear to me that many did not believe the legislature would come together to pass the Compact, including the Democrats in the State Assembly who felt it necessary to try their political pulling motion.  But I knew how important this Compact was for Wisconsin and the Great Lakes and as a result I was confident that we would get to where we are today with a Compact that passed the Senate and Assembly with only one “no” vote in each house.

I am proud to have been a part of the legislative process to get the Great Lakes Compact passed in Wisconsin.  The First Assembly District’s identity is so closely linked to the Great Lakes and so much of our economy, both tourism and manufacturing, is tied to the lakes.  It was important to the First District and to me that the Compact be passed, and now that it has been, and an important step has been taken for the future of the Great Lakes.

With the Compact behind us, I am looking forward to concentrating on my other environmental proposals, including my ban on phosphorous in fertilizer and my Wetland Identification Act.  These two items will constitute the core of my environmental agenda next session and with bi-partisan support now in place, I am extremely optimistic on the prospects of both being approved.