MADISON, WI – Tonight, the Assembly voted on the negotiated PFAS language to pass AB 130 and AB 131, releasing the $132 million that has been held in the PFAS trust fund for over 900 days. Rep. Palmeri released the following statement:
“Today, was a win for Wisconsinites across the state. The $132 million dollars that has sat untouched for over 900 days will hopefully be released by the end of this session. The Senate will still need to take up these bills, but today we passed meaningful legislation for families and those impacted most by these forever chemicals,” stated Rep. Palmeri.
“I am grateful for the work of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Governor’s Office. They held the line to ensure this legislation prioritizes people over profit. I also want to thank Rep. Mursau and Sen. Wimberger for their work on these bills. Compromise means actually sitting down to have hard conversations and meet in the middle. In a week that has felt like political showmanship, this deal is a product of the work that can, and should be done in this building.”
“Over 120 Wisconsin communities have confirmed PFAS toxicity in their water, and those are just the communities willing to test. PFAS has been widely used since the 1950’s, and is toxic at infinitesimally low levels. Think a drop in an Olympic sized swimming pool. No other chemical is measured in such small units.”
“PFAS has an impact on everyone. We often speak to the concerns for children and pregnant women, but men are impacted by this issue as well. PFAS is linked to lower sperm count, reduced motility, low testosterone and testicular cancer. This chemical doesn’t discriminate.”
“Addressing PFAS contamination, and clean water, was one of the issues that drove me to run for state office. I am proud to have been a small part in beginning to address this issue and get funding out to our communities.”
“While the fight isn’t over, I am proud of what we accomplished here today and I am hopeful this legislation will make it to Governor Evers’ desk before the end of this legislative session.
