Dave Camp: “I rise to discuss how unfunded mandates are particularly devastating to rural communities throughout the country. In…”

“I rise to discuss how unfunded mandates are particularly devastating to rural communities throughout the country. In Michigan, for example, the estimated costs for fiscal year 1994 as a result of 12 major unfunded mandates was nearly $400 million. For example, municipal water systems in my district are required by the EPA to follow the same drinking water tests as Hawaii to monitor for a herbicide used on pineapples, which are grown only in Hawaii. Municipal water systems in Michigan are not only required to report these chemicals not found in the water supply, but they have to pay for it as well. This is wrong. This example is just one of hundreds of costly, unnecessary, unfunded Federal mandates that leave Washington and fall into our backyards at home. If there is one theme, one goal of the 104th Congress, it must be to become more accountable. No longer should we be able to pass legislation, pat ourselves on the backs, and pretend it did not cost the taxpayers a dime. The reality is that we leave it to our States and our communities to shoulder the burden and those days must end.”