Tom Harkin: “I have here a letter dated December 11 from the National League of Cities, the National Conference of State…”

“I have here a letter dated December 11 from the National League of Cities, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the Council of State Governments, all writing in opposition to the Craig amendment. It says--I just want to read what they said in this letter: This amendment is not only ill-advised, but it is also unconstitutional. Amendment No. 3640 would preempt state and local land use laws by prohibiting any federal funding that goes to state and local governments from being used for acquiring 'farmland or gracing land for the purpose of a park, recreation, open space, conservation, preservation view, scenic vista, or similar purpose.' This would severely chill state and local historical preservation, community service, and environmental efforts. Under this amendment, if a state or locality were to use the power of eminent domain for virtually any public purpose, even if such action was completely in accordance with its own statues and land use development ordinances and regulations, the state or locality could lose all applicable federal funding.”