Editorial: Lake Tahoe troubles no concern to Bush

Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2002 | 8:58 a.m.

Sen. Harry Reid, during a weekend event at Lake Tahoe to mark efforts to return the lake's clarity to its fabled former self, teed off on President Bush's record on the lake's restoration. The Nevada Democrat noted that in 1997 President Clinton signed into law legislation that called for $900 million to be spent over 10 years to help improve Lake Tahoe. About $300 million of the total would come from the federal government and the rest from area businesses and state and local governments in California and Nevada. But, as Reid said, Bush won't budget federal funding for the Lake Tahoe project.

Bush didn't hesitate to provide funding for the Florida Everglades' restoration -- it helped his brother Jeb politically and shored up his own presidential re-election bid in 2004. But the president doesn't stand a chance of winning California, and his chances grew dimmer in Nevada after his approval of a nuclear waste dump here. The way this White House calculates decisions, if you aren't a benefit in the next election, don't bother asking for help.

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