Vernon Ehlers: “this morning we expect to pass a bill dealing with unfunded mandates, and I will be voting for that bill. I do want to…”

“this morning we expect to pass a bill dealing with unfunded mandates, and I will be voting for that bill. I do want to make it clear that I do have some reservations in environmental areas, but those can be addressed as we go along. The main purpose of my comments today is to point out that we are only part of the problem, and I challenge the States of these great United States to follow our example and pass unfunded mandates bills within their own legislative bodies. In the State of Michigan we required a constitutional amendment initiated by the citizens of the State to address this problem. Since I have worked at the county commission level, the State legislative level, and the Federal level, I can assure the Members that everyone tries to pass mandates down to the body below them and require them to pay the costs. My challenge to the States is to follow Michigan's example--adopt a constitutional amendment as we did in Michigan and prohibit passing unfunded mandates down to cites, counties, townships, and other forms of government. Mr. Speaker, I urge all the States to join us in this effort as we pass our unfunded mandates bill today.”