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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"><img width="624" height="147" style="width:6.5in;height:1.5312in" id="_x0000_i1025" src="cid:image001.png@01D95803.01CFEBD0" alt="Graphical user interface, text
Description automatically generated"></span><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">March 16, 2023
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><u><span style="font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">JFAC advances Governor’s recommendation for improved water infrastructure<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little applauded the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee after its Wednesday vote to advance the Governor’s budget recommendation for improved water
infrastructure across Idaho.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">The recommendation included $150 million to maintain and expand water projects that ensure a stable water supply and $115 million to support local drinking water and wastewater systems,
with an emphasis on small rural communities in need of infrastructure upgrades that improve water quality.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><i><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">“Water is our most precious resource, and the demands on our supply of clean, plentiful water will only increase over time. Last year, we put a record $750
million to improve the quality and quantity of water throughout the state as part of our ‘Leading Idaho’ plan. These added investments in water infrastructure approved by JFAC this week is just good government, plain and simple,”</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">
</span></i><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">Governor Little said.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><i><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">When it comes to local drinking water and wastewater investments, Governor Little said,<i> “<b>Idaho does not want to be Flint, Michigan. I appreciate legislators
for recognizing we need to invest in our local water systems because it keeps your monthly household expenses low, ensures the health and safety of families, continues our economic prosperity, and protects small communities from frivolous lawsuits.”</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"># # #<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">Please DO NOT REPLY to this message. For press inquiries only, contact the Governor’s press office at (208) 854-3015 or e-mail
</span></i><a href="mailto:Madison.Hardy@gov.idaho.gov"><i><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">Madison.Hardy@gov.idaho.gov</span></i></a><i><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">.
<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">To unsubscribe from these announcements, send an e-mail to
</span></i><a href="mailto:news@gov.idaho.gov"><i><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">news@gov.idaho.gov</span></i></a><i><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif">.</span></i><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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