In Michigan, here are the general fund appropriation figures for the Department of Environmental Quality in recent years:
2001 budget - $101 million
2003 budget - $53 million
2004 budget - $25 million
The total general fund budget of the state is now over $8 billion. That means about one-third of one percent of the general fund goes to protect our air, water and land from pollution.
In Minnesota since 2001, "the portion of the general fund earmarked for the environment has fallen from 2.25 percent to 1.43 percent, and is expected to drop to 1.35 percent by 2007. It has hovered around 2 percent for the past two decades."
In both states, new and increased fees and gimmicks have made up some of the difference, but not for long. Isn't the environment worth at least two cents on the tax dollar?
Posted by Dave at November 26, 2004 12:15 AM