INDIANAPOLIS – Republicans rejected a proposal authored by Representative Ryan Hatfield (D-Evansville) that would have funded a pedestrian bridge over U.S. Highway 41 in Evansville near Benjamin Bosse High School.

Hatfield authored the amendment to House Bill 1001, the biennial state budget. It would have allocated $1 million of state funding to the construction of a pedestrian bridge over U.S. Highway 41 in Evansville at Washington Avenue.

“Children in Evansville have to cross Highway 41 to get to school every day,” Hatfield said. “Students should not have to risk their safety in order to attend school. We have a pedestrian bridge for nearly every other high school in town and it is time we protect Bosse students too.

“If we can’t ensure a child feels safe on their daily walk to school, we are not doing enough to protect our students,” Hatfield added.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking nominations of qualified candidates who desire to serve as members of EPA’s Great Lakes Advisory Board (GLAB).

The GLAB was re-established in December 2018 following Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler’s approval of the Board’s charter. It will provide advice and recommendations to the EPA Administrator through the Great Lakes National Program Manager on matters related to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the implementation of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between the United States and Canada.

The GLAB will be composed of approximately fifteen members who will serve as representative members of non-federal interests. EPA will consider candidates representing a broad range of interests, including business groups, environmental organizations, academia and state, local and tribal governments. In selecting members, EPA will consider the differing perspectives needed to address the GLAB’s charter.

Other criteria used to evaluate nominees will include:

• Experience with Great Lakes issues;
• Leadership and consensus-building experience in Great Lakes organizations, businesses and workgroups;
• Membership in professional societies involved with Great Lakes issues;
• Academic leadership and expertise;
• Community leadership; and
• Representation of multiple constituencies within the Great Lakes basin.

The GLAB will meet in person or by electronic means twice a year. In-person meetings will be held in the Great Lakes region.

Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified persons to be considered for appointment to the GLAB. Individuals may self-nominate. Nominations may be submitted electronically with the subject line “GLAB Nomination 2019” to Barnes.Edlynzia@epa.gov, or by regular mail to Edlynzia Barnes, Designated Federal Officer, G