Victor Fazio: “I have always been sensitive to the local impact of Federal laws that are underfunded--that are not supported by…”

“I have always been sensitive to the local impact of Federal laws that are underfunded--that are not supported by adequate resources. They place State and local governments in an awkward, and often impossible, position--trying to ensure that the required protections are in place, without sufficient financial support. For that reason, during the last Congress, I supported the efforts of my Democratic colleagues--Mr. Condit of California and Mr. Moran of Virginia--to provide local governments with some relief from this financial hardship. And, at this time, I want to acknowledge both Mr. Condit and Mr. Moran for meeting this challenge head-on during the 103d Congress, each by introducing legislation that would have provided some relief in response to the pleas for help that we received from local communities. As Governor of Arkansas, President Clinton experienced, first hand, the difficulty and frustration of dealing with Federal laws that were insufficiently funded. That is why he has expressed support for unfunded mandate reform, just as many local officials in my district have.”