In Wisconsin, proposed compromise legislation would have allowed the state to direct $125 million meant to clean up “forever chemicals” to new programs. Both environmental and business groups thought they could reach an agreement. Given that PFAS, the chemicals in question, don’t break down and cause long-term health effects, that would have been good!
But the law didn’t happen, according to reporting from the Wisconsin Examiner. GOP lawmakers couldn’t override a veto of the legislation from Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. Environmental advocates believed a final version of the bill created a loophole for polluters. Evers has now asked for the money to simply be released to the state Department of Natural Resources. Both sides remain frustrated that the other couldn’t see it their way.
This PFAS advisory sign along Starkweather Creek suggests why Wisconsin legislators thought it was a good idea to pass some sort of cleanup plan. (Henry Redman/Wisconsin Examiner)
Meanwhile, Alabama lawmakers saw a bill that would have allowed some undocumented residents to attend college flop for this year’s session, the Alabama Reformer reports. HB 210 would have set requirements for would-be students to do so, given that an earlier law cut off access to higher education entirely.
The bill’s sponsor blamed an amendment that would have created additional restrictions for state high school students. Supporters expect to try again next year.
Finally, Maine offers an entirely different way to send bills to the legislative graveward: the “appropriations table,” the Maine Morning Star reports. That’s what happens in the Pine Tree State after a law is passed by the Legislature but not explicitly funded in the state budget. The Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee figures out how to pay for them with unallocated money. If it doesn’t, those bills die a quiet death. This session, less than 10% of bills on the table actually made it out to become law.
It’s not all bad news, though.
Don’t feel overwhelmed by phantom sausage gloom. That’s just how the nonexistent cookie crumbles.
In Missouri, three plucky legislative interns rolled up their sleeves to help school districts claim soon-to-expire funds from the American Rescue Plan, the Missouri Independent reports. The money needs to be budgeted by September, and Santino Bono, Alanna Nguyen and Dylan Powers Cody took their job seriously. As in, working with spreadsheets seriously.
In just four months, they helped districts claim $1.15 million. Many didn’t even know that the money to aid students experiencing homelessness was available (and $6.1 million remains unclaimed).
Yes, yes, that actually looks like some hopeful news that I’m sneaking in here for once. People with good intentions and a dedicated work ethic can make a difference. And the difference they make can help students who really need it.
