 The Relief Report ® A newsletter covering regulatory reform efforts in Washington and across America, published by The National Center for Public Policy Research, 501 Capitol Court, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002, 202/543-4110, Fax 202/543-5975, E-mail ReliefReport@nationalcenter.org Web http://www.nationalcenter.org |
On April 21, President Clinton signed an Executive Order entitled, "Protection of Children from Environment Health Risks and Safety Risks," which instructs all federal agencies to "...make it a high priority to identify and assess environmental health risks and safety risks that may disproportionately affect children" and "ensure that its policies, programs, activities and standards address disproportionate risks to children that result from environmental health risks or safety risks." What is interesting about the order is that it calls for the kind of regulatory review that the Clinton Administration dismissed as too expensive and too cumbersome during the 104th Congress, when it announced its opposition to the Comprehensive Regulatory Reform Act (S. 343). The new Executive Order requires federal agencies to review all "economically significant" regulations as defined by Executive Order 12866 for their impact on children. Even more interesting is that fact that President Clinton chose to use the Executive Order to roll back gains made by American families. Buried in the Executive Order is a provision rescinding Executive Order 12606 of September 2, 1987. Executive Order 12606 required federal agencies to review regulations for their special impact on families. For more information, contact Chad Cowan of The National Center for Public Policy Research @ 202/543-4110.
Guatemala: Peasants Fight Biosphere Reserves. The Associated
Press reported on March 7 that squatters in a Guatemalan wildlife
and archeological reserve had taken 29 government officials hostage.
Wrote the AP: "The conflict in the country's heavily-forested
Peten region pits landless peasants against a decree setting aside
land for the country's Maya Biosphere Reserve." Among those
held were two biosphere officers.
U.S.: Cost of Global Warming Regulation. Reducing greenhouse
gases to their 1990 levels would cost $7 trillion, according to
Yale economist William Nordhaus. A carbon tax of $200 a ton could
cost 1.1 million jobs annually over the next 15 years.
For the second time in less than a year, Senate Majority Leader
Trent Lott betrayed the property rights movement. The first time
occurred before the 1996 elections, when Lott refused to schedule
the Omnibus Property Rights Act for a floor vote despite broad
public support for takings compensation. The second time occurred
on April 24, when he provided critical support for the Chemical
Weapons Convention (CWC) which led to ratification of the treaty
in a 74-26 vote. The treaty has enormous implications for private
property owners as it allows foreign inspectors the right to inspect
private facilities, businesses and even homes with just five days
notice and take privileged documents, samples and other materials.
Such seizures could constitute takings by government of private
property without compensation. "Words cannot properly express
the depth of feeling that I have concerning your betrayal of your
principles and all of us on the Chemical Weapons Convention yesterday,"
wrote Paul Weyrich of the Free Congress Foundation to Trent Lott
one day after CWC ratification. "You told one of your colleagues
that 'conservatives will get over it.' Think again. This will
never be forgotten." Many property rights activists agree.
The Flood Prevention and Family Protection Act (H.R. 478), a bill that would have established an exemption under the Endangered Species Act to allow repair and maintenance of existing flood control projects to prevent flooding, was pulled from the House floor after a weakening amendment offered by Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) was approved 227-196. Hill sources attribute the loss to failure of the Republican leadership to use its whip operation. The only member of leadership to work vigorously on behalf of the bill is said to be Tom DeLay (R-TX).
Defenders of Property Rights will host a "National Property
Rights Conference" on Tuesday, May 13 at the Key Bridge Marriott
Hotel (1401 Lee Highway in Arlington, VA) from noon to 7:30 P.M.
Featured speakers include Ken Starr, Independent Counsel for the
U.S. Department of Justice; Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN) and Senator
Larry Craig (R-ID). For more information, contact David Almasi
@ 202/686-4197.
The Alliance for America's annual "Fly-in for Freedom"
will be held June 7-11 at the Washington Court (525 New Jersey
Avenue, N.W. in Washington, D.C.) Featured speakers will include
former Senator Malcolm Wallop (R-WY), Rep. David McIntosh (R-IN)
and Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA). Panels will be held on the greening
of the churches, environmental education, and more. For more information,
contact the Alliance @ 518/835-6702.
All editorial correspondence to The Relief Report
should be directed to: The National Center for Public Policy Research
* 501 Capitol Court, N.E. * Washington, D.C. 20002 *
Tel 202/543-4110 * Fax 202/543-5975 * E-mail ReliefReport@nationalcenter.org
* Web http://www.nationalcenter.org.
Copyright 1998, The National Center for Public Policy Research.
Coverage of meetings, activities or statements in the Relief Report
does not imply endorsement by The National Center for Public Policy
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