Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, this amendment deals with the process that should be used in settling lawsuits that involve local housing authorities and HUD. If I might just refer briefly to the recent settlement of the Baltimore litigation, initially the local parties entered into a tentative agreement without consultation with the surrounding counties that were affected by the lawsuit. Now, many of us have concern about the Baltimore settlement, the underlying policy of special aid certificates. The process used denied the surrounding jurisdictions the opportunity to be heard. HUD slowed that process down, giving the surrounding counties an opportunity to have input, and there were improvements that were made as the process went forward because of consultation with the surrounding jurisdictions. This amendment puts the local parties on notice that before they enter into any settlement involving the local housing authorities, that the jurisdictions that can be affected by that settlement need to be consulted and that HUD will consult with local jurisdictions before they enter into any settlement of such a lawsuit. Mr. Chairman, let me tell you, I do not believe this amendment is controversial. HUD has no objections to it. I would urge my colleagues to accept this amendment.”