[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 22, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S11253]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            EMPOWERMENT ZONES AND ENTERPRISE COMMUNITIES ACT

  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I rise today to let my colleagues know 
that I am a cosponsor of S. 1473, the Empowerment Zones and Enterprise 
Communities Act. I believe this bill is an important step in the right 
direction, though I still have serious concerns about the discrepancy 
of funding levels between rural and urban Empowerment Zones.
  First, let me say I strongly support the Empowerment Zones/Enterprise 
Community concept. Areas that are designated as Empowerment Zones and 
Enterprise Communities combine tax credits and social service grants to 
promote long-term economic revitalization. These communities take a 
grassroots approach to revitalization by building partnerships with 
local government, non-profit groups and the private sector--thus 
allowing the federal government to support the work done on a local 
level.
  The problem, Mr. President, is that Round II Empowerment Zones are 
not fully funded and are not receiving the same tax benefits as Round I 
Empowerment Zones. Will Rogers once said, ``I don't make jokes. I just 
watch the government and report the facts.'' I'm afraid this holds all 
too true for those who have struggled to see the Round II Empowerment 
Zones live up to their expectation. When the Griggs/Steele Empowerment 
Zone in eastern North Dakota was designated a Round II Empowerment Zone 
last year, the federal government made a commitment to help leaders in 
these communities create jobs and economic opportunity. Unfortunately, 
however, this Empowerment Zone still hasn't received one dime of 
federal funding. Those who live in the Griggs/Steele Empowerment Zone 
are now beginning to question the commitment of the federal government 
to make good on its promises.
  I am co-sponsoring this bill because I think Congress has a 
responsibility to do the right thing and fully fund Round II 
Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities throughout this country. 
Having said that, I am very concerned about the discrepancy in funding 
between rural and urban areas. Like far too many proposals we debate 
here in Congress, this bill disproportionately grants much more funding 
for urban areas than rural areas. Of the $1.75 billion this legislation 
would provide over 9 years, urban areas receive almost 86% of the total 
funding. Although I recognize that we've made some progress and 
narrowed the gap that existed between rural and urban areas in the 
original proposal, I hope we can do more to help rural areas of this 
country currently facing so many challenges to economic prosperity.
  Despite my concerns about the bill on these grounds, I am 
cosponsoring this legislation because I recognize that Empowerment 
Zones and Enterprise Communities need this funding in a timely manner 
to accomplish the economic revitalization the federal government 
promised. I will continue to work to ensure that rural Round II EZ/ECs 
receive the full funding and tax benefits they deserve.

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