WALLY HERGER: “I rise in opposition to this rule because of its complete disregard for private property rights. Last year, this House…”

“I rise in opposition to this rule because of its complete disregard for private property rights. Last year, this House expressed its overwhelming support for private property by passing the Taylor amendment to the National Biological Survey Act. Like the NBS, the Department of Environmental Protection is another new, more powerful environmental entity. One would think we would be allowed to offer amendments requiring the Department to ensure one basic constitutional right to property. Unfortunately, my amendment, which would merely require the Department to assess whether takings would occur when issuing a new regulation, was ruled out of order. Why are we not being at least allowed to offer this amendment when just last fall this body was given the opportunity to express its overwhelming support for private property rights when it passed the Taylor amendment? Vote ``no'' on this rule and allow private property protection amendments to be offered.”