Honey, I Shrunk the Budget
As states across the nation face massive budget shortfalls, many are aiming their axes at environmental and conservation programs. In South Carolina, for instance, the state legislature is considering cutting $16 million from conservation programs to help balance its upcoming budget. The South Carolina Wildlife Federation yesterday urged state legislators to protect the funds, noting that the legislature already slashed $53.4 million from environmental-protection programs in the current budget cycle. Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, Gov. Mitt Romney (R) narrowly avoided angering environmentalists yesterday when he eliminated $17 million in renewable-energy funds to whittle down the state’s deficit. In exchange, Romney promised to file legislation requiring the state to buy at least $10 million of green energy per year. Environmentalists said the compromise would be satisfactory so long as the lawmakers pass the proposed legislation.