The Governor's budget for the next biennium (2003 to 2005) does not recommend any funding for the Clean Manufacturing Technology and Safe Materials Institute

CAC received very disturbing news yesterday. The Governor's budget for the next biennium (2003 to 2005) does not recommend any funding for the Clean Manufacturing Technology and Safe Materials Institute (CMTI).

(Please forward this information to others.)

CMTI works with manufacturers in reducing the use of toxic raw materials. The program has done remarkably well since it began operation in 1994. The benefits of the program are:

1) Improved profitability and competitiveness for manufacturers;
2) Reduced worker and community exposure to toxic materials;
3) Improved environmental quality; and,
4) Additional revenue for the state in the form of more tax dollars due to the manufacturing value-added nature of clean manufacturing investments.

CMTI's budget has remained essentially the same since it began operations at $475,000 annually over the biennium. However, the Governor's budget proposal sent to the House of Representatives yesterday completely eliminates the line item. If the Democrat-held House does not incorporate at least some funding for the program by the time the budget bill passes the House and goes to the Senate, there will be little hope in salvaging the program. It will, for all practical purposes, be gone.

Here are the results of the program so far:

1) Over 4,500 tons of toxic materials usage eliminated;
2) Almost $10 million saved for manufacturers;
3) For every dollar of state funding expended, over a dollar in in staterevenue is generated;
4) For every dollar of state funding expended, industry has invested four dollars.

So, I know everyone is busy but please take time to contact the following people. You can write to them at: Statehouse; Indianapolis, IN 46220. Phone numbers are provided. Please express your outrage at this program being cut, particularly since it pays for itself.

Contacts

Contact your legislator and -

Rep. Pat Bauer (Speaker) - call Jean Milharcic (his secretary) at 317-232-9628.

Rep. Bill Crawford (Ways and Means Committee Chair) - call Peter O'Keafor (his legislative assistant) at 317-232-9875.

Rep. Sheila Klinker (Vice Chair, Ways & Means) - call Chris Campaniolo (her legislative assistant) at 317-232-9642.

(Rep. Klinker is from Lafayette - Urge her to make it her number one priority.)

Rep. Jeff Espich (Ranking Minority Member (Republican) for Ways & Means) - call Karen Howe (his legislative assistant) at 317-232-9651.

Rep. William Cochran (Chair, Budget Subcommittee on Ways & Means) - call Jim Back (his legislative assistant) at 317-232-9822.

If you have time, please call members of the Ways and Means Committee (Below are their direct numbers)(317 is the area code) Ask the legislators below to make getting funding for the Institute a priority of theirs. * means make them a priority.

Dennis Avery - 232-9718*
Tiny Adams - 232-9746*
John Frenz - 232-9722
Ben GiaQuinta - 232-9727
Clyde Kersey - 232-9780
Ralph Ayres - 232-9754*
John Aguilera - 232-9724
Terri Austin - 232-9751
Randy Borror - 232-9765
Lawrence Buell - 232-9761
Duane Cheney - 232-9771
Robert Cherry - 232-9747
John Day - 232-9749
Ron Herrell - 232-9774
Phil Hinkle - 232-9745
Dennis Kruse - 232-9736*
Carolene Mays - 232-9728
David Orentlicher - 232-9818*
Philip Pflum - 232-9721
Jefferey Thompson - 232-9790
Eric Turner - 232-9750*
Peggy Welch - 232-9777*
David Wolkins - 232-9748*

The number to the Governor's office is 317-232-4567. His executive assistant on environmental issues is Beth Compton. Her number is 317-232-4564.

Thanks in advance for your help!!
Sincerely,
Grant Smith
Environmental Policy Coordinator, CAC
HEC Board Member

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