Wasserman Schultz decries Everglades “cut”

By William Gibson

South Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz objected on Monday to a House spending bill that “slashes $32 million” from the Obama administration’s request for Everglades restoration.

The bill, debated by the House on Monday, would leave $130 million for Everglades restoration in the Army Corps of Engineers budget, a significant reduction from $181 million in fiscal 2010. Some Everglades advocates say the funding will allow current construction to continue but could delay new contracts and the jobs they create.

“To be sure, Everglades restoration is a priority the Florida congressional delegation takes very seriously, and we have fought for adequate funding every year,” Wasserman Schultz, a Democrat from Weston, told the House. “Continued investment in Everglades restoration protects our water supply, benefits key job-creating industries, and enhances our quality of life.”

Mario Diaz-Balart of Miami, South Florida’s only representative on the Appropriations Committee, said he was grateful the Everglades got as much money as it did in the energy-and-water spending bill. He and other Republicans say that even worthy projects face cutbacks as Congress moves to reduce deficit spending.

Wasserman Schultz, who lost her seat on the committee after Democrats suffered a beating in the 2010 campaign, said she was especially troubled by a report that came with the bill.

The committee report noted that Everglades restoration has taken up more than 10 percent of the Army Corps’ construction spending in recent years. It adds: “While the committee continues to support funding for Everglades restoration, this [10 percent] share of funding is not sustainable or equitable, particularly as overall construction funding trends downward.”

Wasserman Schultz asked the committee to clarify the language, which she found “deeply disturbing.”

“I hope this language does not signal the committee’s intent to de-emphasize the importance of Everglades restoration in the future,” she said.