By Donna Westfall – March 7, 2017 –  Before you get your feathers ruffled, take this into account, H.R. 861 was introduced on February 3rd by newly elected Congressman Matt Gaetz (R – Fl). His proposed bill is one sentence long; “The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shall terminate on December 31, 2018.”

Gaetz explained that his bill wouldn’t affect the 1963 Clean Air Act or the 1972 Clean Water Act.  Instead, such responsibilities would return to the states and local communities to address. He said, “The Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act would stay in effect after the bill, but enforcement of those laws would fall to state and local governments. Local communities tend to be able to react a lot quicker.”

The EPA has $8 BILLION in their budget.  Among the bill’s original co-sponsors, Congressman Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), said, “The Constitution reserves lawmaking authority for the legislative branch NOT UNELECTED bureaucrats in the executive branch. The EPA makes rules that undermine the voice of the American people and threaten jobs in Kentucky.”

Doesn’t this sound very similar to our appointed board members on the California Coastal Commission? They affect businesses along the coast by over-reaching, then they back down a little only to over reach once again. That’s their history of anti-property rights and anti-free market agendas.

While dozens of problems would become noticeable with the elimination of the EPA like what happens when a large corporation starts polluting a water source?  Will Florida have enough money to fight them in court?  Answer: Probably not.

Those are the types of problems that need to be hammered out before serious consideration can be given to eliminate the EPA.