Political Quotes

“I join the National Association of Counties, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the Council of State Governments, and the National Association of Towns and Townships, and the National Conference of State Legislatures in opposing H.R. 2372. This legislation severely undercuts local decision making authority regarding land use matters and would burden small towns and cities across America with the huge burdens of higher legal fees to protect themselves from lawsuits in federal court. H.R. 2372 supersedes local authority by removing to federal court local disputes concerning land use regulation. Under our federal system of government, land use matters have historically been the responsibility of State and local governments. Local communities, through locally-elected officials, work diligently to develop land use plans to best serve the needs of their citizens. As a Representative of one of the most rural districts in the House-- the entire state of North Dakota--I am also concerned about the financial impact of smaller cities and towns financially.”