Circle of Blue - Speaking of Water | Will Congress Defy Trump on Water Infrastructure Spending?

·22 min·2 clips

Lobbyist Mae Stevens reveals whether Congress will defy Trump's 90% cut to water infrastructure funding.

The episode begins with host Brett Walton introducing guest Mae Stevens, a partner at Banner Public Affairs and former environmental policy advisor to Senator Ben Cardin. Stevens provides an overview of water policy activities during the first 100 days of Trump's second term, including the resolution of frozen grants and announcements on PFAS regulation. She explains Trump's budget proposal for a 90% cut to state revolving funds, which provide federal funding for water infrastructure through low-interest loans to states. Stevens describes how these funds work, with states prioritizing issues like lead service lines or PFAS contamination based on local needs. She notes that Congress has historically rejected such cuts due to bipartisan support, citing polling that shows eight in ten voters favor increased water infrastructure funding. The discussion turns to earmarks, which Stevens explains are deducted from state revolving fund allocations before distribution, creating tension between states and communities that need grants. Stevens argues that federal funding is essential because states cannot cover the estimated trillion-dollar water infrastructure gap on their own, with the federal government currently contributing less than 10% of total investment. She mentions the potential renewal of the bipartisan infrastructure law and the creation of a long-term water assistance program for low-income households. The episode concludes with Stevens highlighting upcoming appropriations debates and regulatory decisions on lead in water as key issues to watch.

As heard by us

Mae Stevens explains how earmarks, revolving funds, and pending lead rules shape federal water policy.

Federal water policy is rarely one clean fight, and this episode keeps that complexity in view. Brett Walton's conversation with Mae Stevens, a Banner Public Affairs water practice lead and former environmental policy advisor to Senator Ben Cardin, follows the federal focus on…

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Want to know how earmarks can shrink the state revolving fund pie while steering grant money to communities that cannot repay loans?

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