Liberty Matters Action Alert

April 24, 2002

S. 975 – the Community Character Act
COMMITTEE VOTE THURSDAY

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has scheduled S. 975, the “Community Character Act” for a vote in Thursday’s committee hearing. 

The bill is a federal land use plan that would require state and local governments to “implement land management plans using model smart growth statutes, outlined in the 2,000 page Legislative Guidebook,” produced by the American Planning Association during the Clinton administration.  S. 975 provides for the following:

*        $50 Million to pay up to 90% of the cost for state and county governments to update their zoning plans, if they follow federal guidelines;

*        Requires local land use plans to "promote social equity."

*        To "conserve historic, scenic, natural and cultural resources."

*        “To guide, regulate, or assist in the planning, regulation, and management of (a) environmental resources; (b) public works infrastructure; (c) regional economic development; (d) current and future development practices; and (e) other activities related to the pattern and scope of future land use.”  In other words, control everything.

*        This bill violates the Tenth Amendment by awarding grant money for state land use planning based on federal requirements.

Please call or fax the Committee members, right away, to voice your opposition!

Chairman, Sen. James Jeffords, I-VT., ph. 202-224-3542 fax., 202 228-0776

Bill Sponsor, Sen. Lincoln Chaffee, D-RI ph. 202 224-2921 fax., 202 228-2853

Democrats:

Sen. Henry Reid, NV ph. 202 224-3542 fax. 202 224-7327

Sen. Max Baucus, MT ph. 202 224-2651 fax 202 228-3687

Sen. Bob Graham, FL ph. 202 224-3041 fax., 202 224-2237

Sen. Joe Lieberman, CT., ph. 202 224-4041 fax., 202 224-9750

Sen. Barbara Boxer, CA., ph. 202 224-3553 fax. 202 228-1338

Sen. Ron Wyden, OR., ph. 202 224-5244 fax., 202 228-2717

Sen. Thomas Carpenter, DE., ph. 202 224-2441 fax., 202 228-2190

Sen. hillary clinton, NY. ph. 202 224-4451 fax., 202 228-0282

Sen. Jon Corzine, NJ., ph.202 224-4744 fax., 202 228-2197

Republicans:

Sen. Bob Smith, NH., ph. 202 224-2841 fax., 202 224-1353

Sen. John Warner, VA., ph., 202 224-2023 fax., 202 224-6295

Sen. James Inhofe, OK., ph., 202 224-4721 fax. 202 228-0380

Sen. Chris Bond, MO., ph., 202 224-5721 fax., 202 224-8149

Sen. George Voinovich, OH., ph. 202 224-3353 fax., 202 228-1382

Sen. Michael Crapo, ID., ph., 202 224-6142 fax 202 228-1375

Sen. Arlen Specter, PA., ph., 202 224-4254 fax., 202 228-1229

Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, CO., ph.,202 224-5852 fax., 202 224-1933

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