Political Quotes

“as we deal with global issues that at times threaten to overwhelm us, there are issues here at home that we can get our arms around that deal with the quality of life, one being the consequence of unplanned growth and development right here in our neighborhood. Some call it sprawl; others call it dumb growth. The facts are that many Americans are increasingly frustrated by the consequences of haphazard development and a failure to balance the needs of individuals, businesses, and the natural environment and the activities that impact on people's lives now. I have worked with the American Planning Association and a bipartisan group of Members of Congress in both Chambers to produce the Community Character Act, legislation which would provide incentives and resources to assist communities, cities, and States to develop appropriate responses. Recently, this legislation came under attack by the administration. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Mel Martinez, stated that the proposed legislation would "infringe on the rights of local and State governments to manage their growth." He went on to say that it "sets a dangerous precedent to make the Secretary of HUD, Commerce or Agriculture the land use arbiter with the power to usurp the local government's authority." It is clear that the Secretary and his staff have not analyzed this bill. Indeed, they have appeared not to have read it at all.”