ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, March 8, 1996 TAG: 9603080059
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MIKE HUDSON STAFF WRITER
Rep. Rick Boucher says voters are increasingly distrustful of Republican-led cuts in environmental programs and "the extreme agenda of the new Congressional leadership."
Boucher, a Democrat from Abingdon, says the GOP has been forced to retreat on efforts to rein in the federal government's regulations on clean air, workplace hazards and many other issues.
Republicans counter that Democrats are using scare tactics to misrepresent legislation that would ease burdens on business and create jobs.
They say Democrats' distortions are to blame for surveys showing that even many Republican voters are worried about cuts in environmental programs.
"Those numbers have jumped all over the place in the last year," said Tim Phillips, an aide to Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke. "I don't think we're legislating by polls."
But Boucher contends the political mood is shifting.
Last year, the House of Representatives voted by a wide margin - 277 to 141 - to dramatically limit the federal government's power to police the environment, food safety and other areas.
But "regulatory reform" stalled in the Senate, and House Republican leaders found the going tougher when they resurrected a more modest anti-regulatory proposal last week. This week - after moderates within their own party voiced concerns about the bill - they called off a vote with a promise to come back later with a more united front.
Some Republicans are worried about how the public sees their moves to rewrite environmental laws. In a recent national survey by a GOP pollster, 21 percent said environmental laws have gone too far, while 36 percent said they are not strong enough. Even among Republicans, just 30 percent said environmental laws are too tough.
Boucher said distrust of the GOP on the environment also was reflected in the 227-194 defeat last fall of proposals that would have stripped many powers from the Environmental Protection Agency.
"This time last year - that would not have happened," he said.
Despite Tuesday's move to delay, Republicans claim they have the votes to pass "regulatory reform."
Goodlatte said Republicans delayed the bill because the Senate is taking up similar legislation and House members want to see what happens there first.
Goodlatte said the bill is a "balanced approach" that protects the environment and cuts government red tape.
Opponents say the bill actually would create more red tape by requiring that government agencies review every rule already on the books. They say many agencies wouldn't have the staff or time to do that, creating a back-door path for eliminating environmental protection.
Environmentalists call Rep. L.F. Payne, D-Nelson County, a key swing vote on the legislation. A spokesman said Payne supports "regulatory reform" but is waiting to see the bill's final form.
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