ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, March 24, 1996 TAG: 9603250058
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: Associated Press
A report by two environmental groups on contributions by ``anti-wildlife'' political action committees gives a misleading impression about the views of Rep. L.F. Payne, his spokesman said.
Payne, D-Nelson County, ranked 20th among the 435 members of the House of Representatives in contributions from PACs working to weaken protections for endangered species, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group and the Environmental Working Group said Thursday. Payne received $53,987 over two years.
The research group identified 176 PACs that it said have lobbied for amendments weakening the Endangered Species Act. Real estate development, mining and energy interests dominate the list.
Payne spokesman Paul Reagan said Friday many housing and real estate organizations are interested in tax legislation, which is handled by the House Ways and Means Committee. Payne is a member of the committee.
``That would explain a lot of those contributions,'' he said. ``Also, Congressman Payne is a former real estate developer himself. They like having one of their own up there. It's not an environmental thing at all.''
Reagan provided a copy of a March 6 letter in which Payne and several other congressmen complained to House Speaker Newt Gingrich about a lack of funding for the Endangered Species Act.
``We have our children and grandchildren to consider, as well as many more future generations,'' the congressmen wrote.
LENGTH: Short : 36 linesby CNB