AGRICULTURE/COMMERCE/ELECTION/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/WILBUR ROSS: “President Donald Trump on Friday [10-19-18] threw his support behind speeding up water projects for agriculture and hydropower in the arid U.S. West, a move aimed to help build support for Republicans in tight congressional races in next month’s midterm elections. Trump signed a presidential memorandum that directs Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to ‘reduce regulatory burdens’ and expedite environmental reviews for projects in the West that provide water for farmers and power generation. Water wars have divided the West for decades. The supplies have been fought over by cities, which tend to be mostly populated by Democrats, and agricultural interests, which tend to lean Republican. In addition, Trump’s push for water projects is aimed to win over voters in the region who oppose his crackdown on immigrants.”
–Reuters, “Trump Backs Water Projects in U.S. West as Election Nears,” The New York Times online, October 19, 2018