Clean Water Advocates: White House Budget Shows Sec. Bernhardt Does Not Care About Our Public Lands, Our Communities, or Our Drinking Water

From Feb. 11th:
WASHINGTON, DC -- Earlier today, the Trump Administration released its proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2021, which includes a 13 percent cut to the Department of Interior funding, and a 97% cut in discretionary spending on the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

Statement from Brent Bolin, political director at Clean Water Fund:

“There is a deep history of support of the Land and Water Conservation Fund from Americans on both sides of the aisle because investing in communities and our public lands is good for our country. But President Trump and his political appointees at the Department of Interior, specifically Secretary Bernhardt, clearly don’t share in this vision and are willing to sacrifice our lands and put communities at risk.

“The White House’s cuts to the Land and Water Conservation Fund are part of a broader assault on our water, lands, and communities. Trump’s proposal cuts EPA’s budget by 26% and eliminates programs that protect iconic water bodies like Puget Sound, the Everglades, and Lake Champlain. Congress must reject this budget and fully and permanently fund the LWCF, a crucial government program that keeps our wild spaces and cultural heritage intact while ensuring that the American people have access to clean drinking water and public lands that benefit everyone. This budget makes it clear that Trump and Bernhardt care more about padding the pockets of big oil executives than about protecting our cultural heritage and local economies.”

Presidential Candidates Reveal Plans for Veterans with Disabilities

Washington, D.C., Jan 31 – As a nonpartisan national nonprofit organization fighting stigmas and advancing opportunities so people with disabilities can participate fully in all aspects of community, RespectAbility has invited all candidates in the presidential race on both sides of the aisle to submit their answers to a 2020 Disability Voter Candidate Questionnaire.  Question 13 in the Questionnaire was: “What are your plans to ensure that the bureaucracy of the Veterans Administration supports and serves veterans with disabilities? What is your plan to support veterans with disabilities, especially female veterans with disabilities?" Below, read the answers from the five candidates who responded:

Mayor Pete Buttigieg “Many of our veterans return home with wounds—visible and invisible—only to experience challenges in accessing the benefits that were promised to them for their service. To change this, my plan for veterans shares how my approach to providing veteran services will be laser-focused on the needs of veterans and their families, especially those with disabilities.” Read the full response (Question 13)

Sen. Amy Klobuchar “As President, Senator Klobuchar will provide the Veterans Health Administration the full resources it needs to provide the highest level of care to our veterans and address staffing shortages. She will consult with our veterans and expand Congressional oversight on the implementation of the MISSION Act to make sure our veterans are receiving the best possible care.” Read the full response (Question 13)

Sen. Bernie Sanders “No one who was injured through their military service should be denied benefits because of complicated bureaucracy, period. We have seen too many veterans struggle to get the benefits to which they are rightly entitled. Worse still, veterans who have fought for and won these benefits have them taken away when their health improves. Bernie believes that veterans must be compensated for the disabilities connected to their service without being penalized for working hard to make improvements in their health.” Read the full response (Question 13)

Sen. Elizabeth Warren “As president, I’ll prioritize the unique challenges that face veterans with disabilities. I have committed to substantially increasing funding for the EEOC to uphold the rights of veterans with disabilities at work and to enforcing protection against work discrimination of disabled veterans. A Warren administration will invest in the VA, not further dismantle it. And under Medicare for All, veterans will all have high-quality health coverage that gives them the option to seek care from non-VA doctors and hospitals for no additional cost.” Read the full response (Question 13)

Mr. Andrew Yang “Andrew believes veterans should be better prepared for reintegration into civilian life and will establish a reverse boot camp that teaches veterans life skills such as financial literacy and finding a new career outside of the military. Andrew will work with state licensing boards, and other organizations that are involved in certifications, to ensure that those who are trained by the military can seamlessly transition to a job in the civilian economy by modernizing and streamlining the application and payment system so that our veterans don’t need to jump through additional hoops in order to use their GI Bill.” Read the full response (Question 13)

RespectAbility is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that fights stigmas and advances opportunities so that people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of their communities. RespectAbility does not rate or endorse candidates. The questionnaire is purely for educational purposes as voters go to the polls. RespectAbility has reached out to all of the presidential campaigns and will be posting all responses on The RespectAbility Report. View more coverage of 2020 presidential candidates.

The National Leadership Program Applications Now Open The RespectAbility Fellowship is ideal for people with and without disabilities interested in careers in public policy, advocacy, nonprofit management or communications while making a positive difference for people with disabilities. We have three cohorts of Fellows – fall, spring and summer. Now accepting applications for Summer 2020 Fellowships. Learn More & Apply The RespectAbility Report The RespectAbility Report is a nonpartisan political commentary on U.S. elections with a focus on disability issues. The RespectAbility Report does not endorse candidates. Chief political writer include Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, former political and training director for Campaigns & Elections magazine and regular columnist for The Daily Record, and Lauren Appelbaum, former political researcher for NBC News. Read More

Fishing & Boating Groups Back Virginia Legislation to Improve Menhaden Management

Washington, D.C. — Eight major recreational fishing and boating groups are asking the Virginia General Assembly to advance legislation that transfers management authority of Atlantic menhaden, a key food source for striped bass and other recreational fish, to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC).

The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, American Sportfishing Association, BoatU.S., Center for Sportfishing Policy, Coastal Conservation Association, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, and National Marine Manufacturers Association are banding together in support of House Bill 1448 and Senate Bill 791, which shifts management authority to the VMRC. Currently menhaden are the only finfish in Virginia not under the Commission’s purview.

The legislation would bring Virginia back into compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) after the Commonwealth was found in violation of ASMFC’s fishery management plan for failing to enforce the Chesapeake Bay harvest cap. This finding was the result of industrial fishing giant Omega Protein exceeding the cap by approximately 30 percent last year. The groups are raising concerns because when the menhaden population declines, it impacts striped bass, cobia, bluefish, and summer flounder.

“These valuable recreational fisheries are major contributors to America’s economy and support many fishing-dependent businesses within Virginia and across our industry,” the groups wrote. “In Virginia alone, the annual value of striped bass has declined from $240 million to $120 million in the past decade while associated jobs have declined from 3,950 to 1,830 in the same time period.”

The groups called on the General Assembly to pass the legislation, saying it’s important because it gives full-time fisheries managers the authority to manage menhaden.

“Your support will demonstrate clear leadership to the thousands of Bay anglers and the hundreds of businesses they support and bring the Commonwealth of Virginia back into compliance,” the groups added.

Over 50 local businesses, including charter boat operators have also thrown their support behind the legislation.

The coalition’s letter of support can be found HERE.