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U.S. gender wage gap grows for first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids'; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

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Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Advocates Push for Big Federal Investment in Water Infrastructure

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Thursday, March 23, 2017   

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. is drastically underfunding water projects, putting communities at risk for a catastrophic failure, according to a new report from the U.S. Water Alliance.

Advocates for better water infrastructure are flooding Washington, so to speak, for Water Week 2017.

The report found that the U.S. is only funding one-third of water infrastructure needs.

And the nation’s drinking and wastewater system recently earned a D grade from the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Radhika Fox, director of the U.S. Water Alliance, says the proper investment would be a boon to the economy.

"If we were to close that investment gap, we would drive economic growth in this country,” she states. “The report found that closing that infrastructure gap would create over 1.3 million jobs."

The report notes that 40 years ago, 60 percent of the nation’s water projects were funded by federal dollars. Now that figure is just 9 percent, with most of the money coming from local levies.

Fox says she is optimistic that Congress will fund more water projects this year, as both parties have voiced support for a major infrastructure bill.

She notes that even though the Golden State has gotten some much-needed rain, conservation projects remain essential.

"The investments that California is trying to make around re-use and having that broadly utilized across the state is really helping stretch our very limited water supply," she states.

The U.S. has seen multiple major water disasters in recent years in Flint, Mich.; Toledo, Ohio; and in the Florida Everglades.





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