Niehaus Statement on Great Lakes Compact Veto

Release:

(Columbus) - Ohio Senate President Tom Niehaus issued the following statement today regarding Governor John Kasich's veto of the Great Lakes Compact (HB 231):

"I am disappointed the administration, through the Department of Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency, did not share any lingering concerns while the bill was in the Senate. Chairman Cliff Hite and Senator Tim Grendell were actively involved in the discussions on this bill while it was in the House.

"The legislature has been working on this process for nearly two years in an effort to develop a responsible piece of legislation that protects the environment and spurs job growth in Ohio. Nothing in this bill should have come as a surprise to either DNR or EPA. Their representatives were at the table throughout all the discussions.

"I am proud of the work that the members of our Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources committee have done in crafting a bill that received bipartisan support in the Senate. That said, we are prepared to go back and work with the governor and business community to address any lingering issues and pass a bill that not only protects Lake Erie, but also allows us to use this great natural resource to attract business and grow jobs."