Controversial legislation on state regulatory rules is making its way through the legislature. The House approved a bill today to prevent the state from being tougher on things like environmental and workplace safety than the federal government.
Proponents of the legislation say less regulation is a good thing. Speaker of the House Tom Leonard says this puts decisions in the hands of elected federal officials, instead of bureaucrats
But critics, including environmental groups, are skeptical of the legislation. Democratic Representative Robert Wittenberg says federal regulations should be a floor, not a ceiling.
“We don’t want to tie our hands. It gives us more opportunity to adapt and change based on what’s going on here in the state.”
The legislation died in Senate committee last year. Its current fate in the Senate is unknown.