U.S. Rep. Bob Latta said Tuesday he has been doing all he can to speed up federal funding for flood-reduction efforts in the Blanchard River watershed.

He and U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman and other lawmakers were accused by Gov. John Kasich on Monday of not pushing hard enough for federal money.

Brown, a Democrat, and Portman, a Republican, didn't agree with that assessment on Tuesday.

The Army Corps of Engineers says it does not have its share, or half, of the $3 million needed to complete the Blanchard River flood studies.

In an interview Monday with Courier editors and reporters, Kasich ordered the state Emergency Management Agency's executive director to coach Ohio's federal lawmakers about how to obtain the funding. Kasich was a U.S. representative, from Columbus, from 1983 to 2001.

Latta said Tuesday the governor's tutorial likely is outdated. 

"It is a little bit different from when the governor was in Congress," said Latta, R-Bowling Green.

Back then, lawmakers only had to persuade their peers to earmark funds for projects benefiting their districts. 

But Rep. John Boehner, R-West Chester, banned the practice when he became U.S. House speaker. Now lawmakers must persuade leaders of administrative departments, like the Army Corps, to approve funds, Latta said.

"That's why we're constantly in the meeting stage with (the corps)," Latta said. "We're constantly writing them, calling them, keeping them in the loop, to make sure the Blanchard River remains a priority."

Latta said he has arranged numerous meetings with corps officials, including Jo-Ellen Darcy, assistant secretary of the Army for civil works. He also has arranged for leaders of Findlay, Ottawa, Hancock and Putnam counties to meet with corps leaders.

Findlay Mayor Lydia Mihalik put in a good word Tuesday for Latta and other lawmakers.

"There will be times when it probably appears that things are not going as we would want them to go, but I am fully supportive and very thankful for all of the effort that has been put forth, not only by Congressman Latta, but (U.S. Rep. Jim) Jordan, Senators Brown and Portman," Mihalik said. "They have been incredible and wonderful cheerleaders of the district and the state of Ohio. I think they truly understand the importance of finding a solution to our flooding problem."

Sen. Brown insisted Tuesday that he's been working on the Blanchard River project and keeping pressure on the Army Corps.

"I know how important the Blanchard River Flood Risk Management Project is to the Ottawa and Findlay communities. That's why I helped to write a measure that my Senate colleagues and I passed that would expedite the eligibility of projects like BRFRP to receive federal funds," Brown said.

"That is also why the Ohio delegation has repeatedly urged the Army Corps of Engineers to provide the necessary financial resources to match the time and money already given by local governments.

"We will continue to pressure the Army Corps of Engineers to finish this first-of-its-kind project for the safety and economic well-being of northwest Ohio," Brown said.

Sen. Portman's office said Gov. Kasich could help out in lobbying the Army Corps for funding.

Jeff Sadosky, a Portman spokesman, said, "The delegation has been very engaged, and we've had some success, including an amendment (Portman) got into the Transportation Bill.

"Despite the bipartisan support of the Ohio congressional delegation, the president's budget has repeatedly ignored the Blanchard River, and we're hopeful the governor will join us in pushing the administration and the Army Corps to take the steps necessary to prevent further damage to the region," Sadosky said.

Latta said Tuesday he has been relentless with the corps.

"My legislative director, this is her specific area, working with the corps ... She knows them by name, here in Washington to Buffalo," he said.

Kasich on Monday said all of the U.S. representatives and senators from Ohio should be pushing for funding to speed up flood reduction.

Latta said he, Portman and Brown have all been fighting for the project. Latta said he has been working to cultivate support for flood reduction among other Ohio lawmakers.

"They are very much aware, and the folks that serve on those committees are very much aware of where we are on (flood-reduction funding)," he said.

Hancock County Commissioner Brian Robertson said he has appreciated Latta's efforts, as well as those of Portman, Brown and other lawmakers. But he said Kasich's call for a more formally unified alliance of Ohio lawmakers "has got merit."

Both Robertson and Mihalik said they were impressed with the governor's passion about Blanchard River watershed flood reduction.

Attempts to obtain comment from U.S. Reps. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, and Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, were unsuccessful Tuesday.