Water Rules Repealed

Albuquerque Journal says the Water Authority repealed the new water conservation rules.   

Cadigan linked the ordinance's repeal to one "special interest group"— builders— complaining about costs.  "They are not entitled to a special process because they are home building lobbyists," he said.

Oh, but they do so believe they are entitled.

(Bernalillo County Commissioner) Cummins stressed at the meeting that the board and builders believe in conservation, but the changes were not passed in the "traditional" way, with builders giving comment before the bill was drafted.  "I think the tenor of compromise is different than the tenor of starting with a clean slate," Cummins said of the repeal.

Tenor of compromise and the traditional way? 

I'm picturing a tradition of grandfathering -  exempting entire subdivisions from new requirements and calling it compromise. 

Fragmenting resource and land use regulation, in this case through multiple agencies with overlapping jurisdictions, maximizes short term real estate market and builder profits and hinders true community building.   Some tradition.      

Comments

[Hunter]

The "Traditional Way"

1. Government passes new regulation/code that adds to cost of construction.
2. Industry objects. Claims added cost will mean end of development in NM.
3. Govt. agrees to form "task force" of "stakeholders". (See Lynne Anderson for list of stakeholders.
4. Task force diddles with measure for 6 months or more and returns watered down version to Govt.
5. Govt. holds public hearing at which persons affiliated with "stakeholders" testify "It needs more work" and "We're almost there".
6. Govt. sends measure back to task force for more "work".
7. Task force further guts measure and sends back to govt.
8. Govt. holds hearing on measure, but immediately introduces "floor substitute" that removes all mandatory language (must, shall)and adds new incentives/subsidies. Mysteriously, floor substitute is printed on NAIOP letterhead. Measure passes.
9. Mayor signs measure, surrounded by "stakeholders". For unknown reason, supporters of original measure do not receive their invitations.
10. Mayor recieves award from prestigious national organization commending city as leader in progressive legislation.

[suz]

more on this here

http://www.laurapaskus.com/2008/03/what-do-you-say-to-this.html