Political Quotes

“there are proponents of the bill who are claiming that the current exceptions to the penalty waiver provisions adequately protect the public, and I think it is very important at this moment, Madam Speaker to focus in on why that is not true. Unfortunately the exceptions to the penalty waiver provisions do not adequately protect the public. They may contain many of the buzz words which imply that the public health and safety is protected, however in reality the benefits of these exceptions are negligible. For instance, one exception permits the assessment of penalties when the violation has already caused actual serious harm. Paperwork requirements are put in place so agencies can prevent an accident before it occurs. This exception comes too late. It comes into play after the damage has been done. Furthermore, Madam Speaker, this is an extremely different standard of proof. It is practically impossible to show that a failure to file paperwork, not some intervening event, was the actual cause of the accident. Another exception allows fines to be assessed when the violation poses a serious and eminent threat to the public health or safety. Again, this is an extremely difficult standard of proof. It is practically impossible to show that the danger posed by a lack of paperwork poses an eminent danger.”