[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 145 (Friday, October 7, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 7, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                      UNFUNDED MANDATE LEGISLATION

  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I hope we can pass the unfunded mandate 
bill. The Senate has a historic opportunity to provide relief to our 
State and local governments and restore a genuine sense of partnership.
  I oppose unfunded mandates. Every time I travel in Maryland, one 
message comes through loud and clear from local governments--``put your 
money where your mandates are.'' Too often, Washington pushes off 
obligations on State and local governments without any thought as to 
what it will cost. This bill corrects this problem by requiring a cost 
estimate for every mandate bill that is considered.
  We need to know what kind of burden we might be imposing on State and 
local governments before we act. If the burden is too high, we need to 
consider that.
  This bill restores fairness and honesty to the Federal-State 
partnership without jeopardizing our ability to meet vital needs. That 
is why the Nation's governors, mayors, and legislators support this 
bill--and it is why I support this bill.

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