FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         ASG
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1995                         (202) 616-0189
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

   ASSOCIATE AG TO TESTIFY AGAINST COSTLY COMPENSATION PROGRAM 

     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Associate Attorney General John Schmidt
will testify Friday, February 10, before the House Judiciary
Subcommittee on the Constitution regarding property rights and
the impact of certain bills, including Title IX of H.R. 9, the
"Job Creation and Wage Enhancement Act of 1995."    The hearing
will begin at 10:00 a.m. in Room 2226 of the Rayburn House Office
Building.

     Title IX contains takings legislation, which would require a
costly new government compensation program when property values
decline by 10 percent or more as a result of federal efforts to
protect human health, public safety, the environment, civil
rights, worker safety, and other important protections.

     The bill threatens to undercut public health and clean air
and water laws, impose huge new costs that will result in higher
property taxes, and flood agencies with claims by owners whose
property values may be fluctuating for other reasons.

     Examples of the harm these bills would cause will be
provided in the testimony.

     The hearing is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. and Mr.
Schmidt will be the first witness.  Copies of his testimony will
be available through the Department's Office of Public Affairs in
the morning.


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95-082