Rep. Wait Signs Letter Sent to Governor Concerning SWCD Expenses

Springfield, IL…State Representative Ron Wait (R, Belvidere) signed a letter today addressed to Governor Rod Blagojevich concerning the Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) expenses in the FY08 budget.   Of the $7.4 million appropriated to the SWCD, Governor Blagojevich released $1.7 million.  The letter calls for the immediate release of the extra $5.75 million that was included in the budget.

“$1.7 million is only enough to operate for the next two months,” stated Wait.  “The lack of funds for the SWCD will have a negative effect on many areas of our state.  Leaving out such a large amount of money will only hurt us in the long run,” he added.

The effects of the budget cut are two-fold:

• Less hours, benefits and perhaps jobs for the approximately 250 employees of the SWCD
• Less protection of our rivers, streams and other water sources against contamination from urban stormwater, agricultural chemicals and sediment

If the additional funds are not released, many districts will have to consider lay-offs or closing their doors by mid to late June.