Joel Hefley: “the game works like this: Congress comes up with an idea which is supposed to help people, but Congress is broke, and so…”

“the game works like this: Congress comes up with an idea which is supposed to help people, but Congress is broke, and so Congress passes a bill anyway and sends it off to the States and falls all over itself claiming credit for a job well done. Meanwhile, State and local governments which had little or no input into the issue find this new law waiting on their doorstep delivered c.o.d. For them, the real work just began, deciphering the new rules and figuring out how to pay for them. I served in the Colorado State Legislature, and I know the frustration felt by local and State officials. Unfortunately for our Federal system, that frustration is growing. According to CBO, Federal regulations enacted between 1983 and 1990 cost State and local governments over $12 billion. In the last Congress we considered at least 60 bills which contained some form of mandate. In my State of Colorado, a recent survey identified 195 Federal programs containing mandates for State and local governments. These mandates consumed 12 percent of the total State budget. You know, I would encourage support for this rule. I cannot believe the arguments against an open rule. Support it.”