HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 94-44 RSSOLUTION NO. R94-44
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FRIffi�rDSWOOD, TEXAS,
ENDORSING THE EFFORTS OF TSE NATIONAL LSAGUE OF
CITIES AND SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS TO FULLY
INFORM G1UR CITIZENS ABOUT THS IMPACT OF FEDffitAL
MANDATSS ON OUR GOVE1tNME'NT AND DECLARING Tf� WSSR
OF OCTOBER 14, 1994 Tf�OUGH OC�OHBR 30, 1994 AS
"NATIONAL UNFUNDED MANDATSS WEER".
* * * * * * * * * * * *
WI�R,EAS, unfunded mandates on state and local governments
have increased significantly in recent years; and
WHRRRAS� federal mandates require cities and towns to
perform duties without consideration of local circumstance,
costs, or capacity, and subject municipalities to civil or
criminal penalties for noncompliance; and
WHEREAS, federal mandates require compliance regardless of
other pressing local needs and priorities affecting the
health, welfare, and safety of municipal citizens; and
WHEREAS, excessive federal burdens on local governments
force some combination of higher local taxes and fees and/
or reduced local services on citizens and local taxpayers;
and
WHEREp,S, federal mandates are too often inflexible, one-
size-fits-all requirements that impase unrealistic time
frames and specify proce�.ures of facilities when less costly
alternatives might be just as effective; and
WHEREAS, existing mandates impose harsh pressures on local
budgets and the federal government has imposed a freeze upon
funding to help compensate for any new mandates; and
{�j�RFAS� the cumulative impact of these legislative and
regulatory actions directly affect the citizens of our
cities and towns; and
WHEREAS, the campaign against unfunded mandates launched
last year by the National League of Cities, state municipal
leagues� and other local government organizations has begun
to bring about changes in Washington. Arbitrary standards
and procedures established by the U. S. Environmental
Protection Agency are being reexamined by Congress to
reflect more realistic health concerns. A broad mandate-
relief bill that would create a "truth in legislating"
process also has gained broad bipartisan support in both the
Senate and House of Representatives. A national public
education campaign to help citizens understand and then
reduce the burden and inflexibility of unfunded mandates,
beginning with a National Unfunded Mandates Week of October
24, 1994 through October 30, 1994.
NOW, THERSFORE BE IT R$SOLVED this week, the City of
Friendswood will be joining with hundreds of other
communities throughout the United States in calling for an
end to unfunded mandates. It is both deceitful and wrong
for Washington lawmakers to think they can solve problems
simply by passing their cost along to us. Our leaders in
Washington must begin to set priorities that fit within
their available resources, just as our community and other
cities must do every year. This is more than a simple
debate over costs. When you are dealing with taxpayers'
pocketbooks, you have to respect the value of those funds
and set priorities. Unfunded mandates have the effect of
distorting local priorities by diverting resources that
could be used far other community needs; and
B$ IT FURTI�R RSSOLVED that the City of Friendswoad, Texas
endorses organizing and participating in events to begin
this process on October 24, 1994 through October 30, 1994;
and
BE IT FURTH�R RESOLVHD that the City of Friendswood, Texas
resolves to redouble our eftorts to inform and work with
members of our Congressional delegation to educate them
about the impact of federal mandates and actions necessary
to reduce their burden on our citizens.
PASSED, APPR�VSD AND ADOP'1.'BD, this the 17th day of Octaber,
1994.
, -�� ✓,
Mayor velyn�. Newman
City of Friendswood
ATTEST:
C
Deloris McKenzi , T C
City Secretary
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R94-44.doc