With the federal Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) Congressional appropriations process gaining steam, it is critical that individual utilities contact their federal elected leaders with key funding asks. The Water Week One-Pager is an excellent resource you can share with your members to assist them in making these asks. Both the House and Senate are on recess from April 15-28 – making this the perfect time for you and your utility members  to visit Members of Congress while they are home.

The White House released its proposed FY2020 Budget on March 11.  As in prior years, the Trump Administration is proposing major cuts for a broad range of discretionary non-defense programs and agencies, including to EPA and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). A more detailed analysis of the budget can be found here.

Overall, NACWA was highly disappointed by the spending reductions proposed in the budget, and has already begun working with Congressional leaders and clean water advocates on the Hill to push back on the proposal to ensure Congress understands the importance and value of clean water programs, and maintain the increased funding levels these programs have enjoyed in the past two Fiscal Years.  

In March, NACWA participated in and submitted testimony at two key hearings aimed at supporting funding for crucial EPA clean water programs and clean water infrastructure. Details regarding our testimony at these hearings can be found in the following Clean Water Current articles.

• NACWA, Congress Highlight Clean Water Funding Priorities but Local Utility Voices Needed.
• NACWA Testifies at Congressional Hearing on Importance of Water Infrastructure.

Again, we encourage you to encourage your members to reach out to their respective Representatives and ask that they sign onto these important bipartisan letters to promote strong federal investment to help ensure their constituents have the clean water infrastructure that they both need and deserve.  Copies of the letters—which members are encouraged to reference and share while reaching out to their representatives to support representatives’ cosigning—are available for download here:

• Reps. Napolitano and Katko CWSRF letter
• Reps. Napolitano, Moore and Chabot Sewer Overflow and Stormwater letter

NACWA also has a Congressional Toolbox that can be helpful in communicating with Members of Congress.

NACWA will continue working with Congressional appropriators over the next several months to ensure robust FY20 funding for clean water programs, however it is critical that individual utilities contact their federal elected officials to ensure success.  Please contact NACWA’s Legislative Directors, Kristina Surfus or Jason Isakovic, with any questions or to discuss further.