Political Quotes

“it has been said that the only means of conservation is innovation, and I believe that is what Vice President Gore had in mind in recommending an innovative proposal called Better America Bonds. I joined him back in January of this year over at the American Institute of Architects with a number of outstanding planners and conservationists to announce this initiative. Now, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Gephardt), the gentleman from California (Mr. Matsui), the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) and I, along with a number of our colleagues, have filed this legislation to establish the Better America Bonds program. Mr. Speaker, we believe that the Federal Government should be an active partner with local communities supporting their efforts to build more livable communities as we approach the 21st century. I believe that there is strong, broad-based support for these locally developed, ``smart growth'' or sustainable growth initiatives. The Better America Bonds program would assist State and local governments in their efforts to plan for their future growth and development. Through the issuance of this new type of bond, one that carries a Federal tax credit as opposed to a small amount in interest payments, local governments would be enabled to make purchases to preserve green space, create or restore urban parks, or simply to clean up land or water.”