[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 63 (Thursday, May 19, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 19, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    WE NEED FLOW CONTROL LEGISLATION

                                 ______


                            HON. DAVID MINGE

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 19, 1994

  Mr. MINGE. Mr. Speaker, earlier this week the U.S. Supreme Court 
trashed local flow control laws leaving our towns, cities, and counties 
helpless in managing their locally generated garbage. Simply put, flow 
control allows local governments to direct the flow of garbage 
generated within that locality.
  Why is flow control important? And what is the significance of the 
Supreme Court decision Carbbone versus Clarkstown, NY?
  The answer is simple.
  The Federal Government required State and local governments to 
dispose of solid waste in an environmentally sensible fashion--a 
classic unfunded mandate. It was expected local governments could meet 
this mandate by building new facilities, charging for their use, and 
directing the flow of garbage to those facilities.
  The Supreme Court ruling--by overturning local ordinances--handicaps 
responsible solid waste management and undermines the security of as 
much as $18 billion in outstanding municipal bonds. These bonds were 
sold to build waste facilities.
  Congress must respond by enacting flow control legislation that will 
give our localities the tools they need to protect our environment, and 
in turn, to protect our children and our communities. I implore my 
colleagues--do not leave local governments holding the garbage bag. 
Learn about the importance of flow control ordinances. Learn how 
important Federal flow control legislation is to your communities and 
to the environment.

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