I have spoken with many residents of Kent County. I would say that I have knocked on over 25,000 doors. One of the questions that is asked of me is, "How will YOU protect Our Environment? I (we) worry for my (our) children's future. My (our) children suffer with asthma".

To get into our state parks, one must pay a fee for a park license. To fish in our state, one must pay a fee for a license to catch fish. To drive a motor vehicle in our State, one must pay a fee and then subsequent fees to obtain and maintain a driver's license. The list goes on.

However, if you wish to dump toxic materials into our precious Great Lakes Waterways or the Great Lakes themselves it is free. I believe that Michigan Taxpayers have paid enough and that those of commerce that pollute our waters should pay for it through a FEE based system. If we charge them enough, they will put pollution control effort forward and stop discharges into our greatest natural resource. I feel this is very wrong and will bring forth legislation to halt illegal and legal dumping of toxins into our waterways. It is wrong and I will strive to right the wrong.

House Democrats offered amendments that would have strengthened Senate Bill 252, but these were voted down in the Republican-controlled House.  They included:

• An amendment to double permit fees for polluters who are consistently cited for significant noncompliance of the Clean Water Act.

• An amendment that would completely end the taxpayer subsidization of polluters in Michigan by ensuring that the permit program is fully funded by the polluters themselves.

• An amendment reinstating the critical materials report, which includes an estimate of the amount and type of wastewater discharges, an estimate of the amount of each "critical material" used by the facility and an estimate of the amount of “critical material” discharged.

The vote on SB 252 came in the wake of a recent Detroit News report that Great Lakes polluters dump toxic materials into our waterways with little or no fear of punishment.  The News estimates that fewer than 25 percent of consistent violators face any punishment whatsoever.

It is time for Michiganders to stand up and lead in the protection of OUR Great lakes. Michigan is the only member of the Great Lakes that is affected by everything surrounding and including the Great Lakes. We must hold harmless Michigan taxpayers and hold polluters accountable for violating Michigan's water pollution laws.

In order for factories, municipal wastewater treatment plants and other sources to discharge wastewater into a Michigan body of water, a permit must be obtained.  There currently is NO FEE charged to water dischargers (as there is for air pollution permits).  The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's water permitting and enforcement program is instead paid for out of the General Fund with taxpayer funds and costs totaling nearly $11 million annually.  This Must Stop.

Help me help you and your loved ones. Select and Elect Albert S. Abbasse for the 28th District State Senate.