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When thousands of people donate no more than $100 per person per election, we can build a campaign without money from special interests. _______________________ But it's about more than money. We need your energy and your enthusiasm, too. Sign up to volunteer on Jim Hansen's campaign for Congress.
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Unfunded mandates make life tougher in small communities like Soda Springs
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Location: Blogs Jim's Blog |
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| Posted by: Jim Hansen |
6/26/2006 |
Unfunded mandates from Congress are making it tough for the people of Soda Springs. They are prepared to consider a doubling of their sewer rates to secure a bond to upgrade their system. While Congress continues to add to the federal deficit, communities like Soda Springs are paying the price.
I learned more about the effects of unfunded mandates today while I was in Soda Springs. It is a beautiful community of about 3,500 people nestled in the mountains of Idaho's southeast corner. The water underground bubbles up with natural carbonation. But apparently there is another underground issue that the city has to grapple with, but they are not getting much help from the federal government. Soda Springs is preparing to put before its voters a $6.8 millon bond to upgrade the sewer system to remove certain contaminants identified by the federal government.
Congress has underfunded the effort yet continues to add to the deficit. Therefore, the citizens of Soda Springs are not provided the kind of grants or matching funds that would make solving this issue a genuine partnership. Congress mandated the results through its authorizing legislation years ago but comes up empty-handed when it comes time to actually address it. The local bond will basically double sewer rates that residents of Soda Springs will have to pay. What is worse, if the bond loses, the city faces the prospect of fines of up to $27,000 a day.
The folks I talked to in Soda Springs, including one of the longest serving and distinguished mayors in the state, Kirk Hansen, are not arguing that the sewers don't need upgrading. They are justifiably upset about yet another unfunded mandate - aggravated in this case by a very short timetable. Local governments can't just go into debt like the Congress by more spending and giving away more tax breaks to special interests. Local governments have to balance their budgets and they have to get approval by the people to pass a bond.
Soda Springs, Lava Hot Springs, Marsh Valley and other school districts in the area also are chafing under the unfunded mandates of the No Child Left Behind law passed by Congress. We've seen this all over Idaho, where the new mandates on local school districts require more of local budgets without the funds to implement it. To cope with severe budget pressure, these school districts are now going to four-day school weeks to save money.
I was tremendously impressed with the people I talked with in Soda Springs. They put a lot into their community. They deserve to have an honest and supportive partner in their efforts to make their community even better. |
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