U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown today said President Donald Trump’s budget makes significant, unacceptable cuts to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Brown said the 90 percent – $270 million – cut would negatively affect Ohioans, as the GLRI is a highly successful program that has jumpstarted restoration efforts to protect, maintain, and restore the chemical, biological, and physical integrity of the Great Lakes like Lake Erie.

“Ohioans rely on Lake Erie for jobs, clean drinking water, and a place to enjoy with their families. Instead of investing in Ohio communities so they can grow and create jobs, President Trump is asking Ohioans to pay for tax cuts for millionaires by gutting Great Lakes programs and eliminating economic development efforts,” said Brown. “Sen. Rob Portman and I have always fought to ensure the GLRI is at full strength as communities work to keep Lake Erie clean. I will continue fighting for Ohio priorities throughout this budget process.”

Brown and Portman announced full funding of $300 million for the GLRI last year. In Fiscal Year 2018, Trump proposed eliminating GLRI and Senators Brown and Portman worked together to ensure it was fully funded in the two most recent appropriations bill.