ORANGE : Congress Is Asked to Foot More Bills

The City Council has joined a growing number of local governments across Orange County and the country in calling on national legislators to stop imposing unfunded federal mandates on local and state governments.

The council unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday afternoon critical of the federal government for imposing regulations while neglecting to provide funding for the new requirements.

Officials estimated the city will spend more than $2.3 million this year complying with federally mandated programs. The city has allocated $1.5 million this year alone to comply with federal regulations for solid waste and recycling.

“Of course, we don’t object to having clean water,” said Mayor Gene Beyer. “But when we have to pay for it, it becomes a real drain.”

Orange’s resolution asks Congress to supply financial aid when cities can show that complying with federal mandates places a “financial burden” on local and state governments.

The Orange County Division of the League of California Cities passed a similar resolution in October. City and county officials are hoping their efforts will help support a bill proposed by Rep. Gary A. Condit (D-Ceres).

Condit’s bill, the Federal Mandate Relief Act of 1993, would require the federal government to finance all the mandates it imposes on state and local governments. If the federal government cannot fund its own regulations, state and local government implementation would automatically become voluntary.