|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16,
2003
Federal Agencies Failure to Comply
with ExecutiveOrder Has Cost Taxpayers over $1
Billion
Washington [D.C]-Today, Roger Marzulla, General
Counsel for Defenders of Property Rights, testified
before Members of the U.S. House Subcommittee on the
Constitution, telling them that over $1 billion
worth of private property takings by the federal
government has occurred over that last ten years.
"Federal agencies are simply not complying with
their obligations under the Takings Executive Order,
which is designed to protect individual
constitutional liberties in property while
protecting the public fisc," said Mr. Marzulla. "In
a report issued today by Defenders of Property
Rights, we conclude that widespread noncompliance
with the Takings Executive Order has resulted in a
massive violation of constitutionally guaranteed
property rights, subjecting the federal government
to liability for $1 billion or more."
Mr. Marzulla served as an attorney in the U.S.
Department of Justice under former Attorney General
Edwin Meese III. In 1988, he spearheaded the Reagan
administration's initiative that resulted in
Executive Order 12,630. The Executive Order was
designed to avoid where possible the destruction of
constitutionally protected property rights by
federal agencies by requiring that a takings impact
assessment (TIA) be performed prior to any federal
action that implicated private property rights.
"We urge Congress to required federal agencies to
comply with the Takings Executive Order, and to
undertake a good faith effort to protect the
property rights of the citizens as the Constitution
requires," stated Mr. Marzulla.
Defenders of Property Rights is the only national
public interest legal foundation dedicated
exclusively to the protection of property rights.
For further information about Defenders and to
download a copy of Defenders's testimony please go
online to <http://www.yourpropertyrights.org/> or
contact us directly at 202-822-6770.
-31-
------------------------------------------------------
Brian J. Rogers
Director of Policy and Development
Defenders of Property Rights
1350 Connecticut Ave., NW Ste. 410
Washington, DC 20036
202-822-6770--voice
202-822-6774--fax
<brian@yourpropertyrights.org>
<www.yourpropertyrights.org>
|
