Political Quotes

“I have here a copy of a water bill and sewer bill from the city of Albuquerque from this month that was sent to a constituent. For his sewer charge, it shows: base charge, $13.08; unfunded Federal mandate to remove ammonia, $12.15. In other words, a Federal requirement to remove one product from the sewer system is equal in cost, to the residents I represent, to their whole base charge for all of the other costs of running the sewer system. Is it possible, Mr. Chairman, that in this or in other instances, upon a careful analysis, costs like this must be borne? I think the possibility certainly exists. I do agree with the other side, of course, on the importance of cleaning up our water, but who has measured this? Who has measured from the Federal Government whether in fact doubling the cost of the sewer rates to the residents of Albuquerque is, in fact, what is needed to keep this water at an appropriate level of toxic pollution control? My point is that this bill would require that kind of accounting, that kind of accountability, and that is why the gentleman's amendment should be rejected.”