Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Lankford Criticizes Government Reach

Congressman James Lankford:
Unfunded mandates a challenge
 Congressman James Lankford said today that federal regulations are "too burdensome and too intrusive."

His comments came at the end of a hearing he conducted as chairman of the Congressional Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and Procurement Reform. The subcommittee’s first hearing addressed the effects of the 1995 Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) on the creation of new regulations which may impede job creation and stifle economic activity.

“Today’s hearing was a great opportunity to get a first-hand account from the individuals, including local leaders, who deal with the federal bureaucracy day in and day out,” said Lankford. “Their testimony painted a picture of federal regulations that are too burdensome and too intrusive. State and local governments are already facing difficult decisions to balance their budget and now the federal government is clamoring to be paid first for their excessive requirements. We need to undertake a smart and thorough examination of all unfunded mandates and I look forward to working with members of the subcommittee on making the federal government more efficient and effective for American taxpayers.

“I would like to thank Edmond mayor Patrice Douglas for making the trip to Washington to participate in the hearing. She provided valuable testimony that underscores the real life challenges facing cities like Edmond as they deal with unfunded mandates that are constantly imposed on them by the federal government.”

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