As a long-time highway lobbyist, I used to say Democrats were quick to spend the money but add regulations to the programs while Republicans cut regulations and were difficult to build support for new investment. The Road Builders took a look at what is currently happening. We know investments have gone way up.
In September, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released two joint coordination memorandums on jurisdictional determinations 1) under the 2023 waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule (as amended in September) and 2) under the “pre-2015 regulatory regime” that is in effect in the 27 states where the Biden Administration’s rule is on hold. The memos outline similar processes for coordination, wherein EPA plays an active role. Neither memo provides insight on how the agencies will determine jurisdiction nor how they will implement the relatively permanent test.
Well more than half the wetlands in the United States are threatened by the Supreme Court’s Sackett decision, an EPA water official said on a webinar Wednesday.
Young federal employees are leaving the federal government at a rapid rate, with nearly 9% of those under 30 quitting in fiscal 2021. Initial reaction may be – it’s about time – but the reality is someone needs to run and manage these programs so many people depend on.