Federal Agencies Failure to Comply with Executive Order Has Cost
Taxpayers over $1 Billion
Brian J. Rogers
Director of Policy and Development
Defenders of Property Rights
October 16, 2003
Washington [D.C]-Today, Roger Marzulla, General Counsel for Defenders
of Property Rights, testified before Members of the U.S. House Subcommittee
on the Constitution, telling them that over $1 billion worth of private
property takings by the federal government has occurred over that
last ten years.
"Federal agencies are simply not complying with their obligations
under the Takings Executive Order, which is designed to protect individual
constitutional liberties in property while protecting the public fisc,"
said Mr. Marzulla. "In a report issued today by Defenders of
Property Rights, we conclude that widespread noncompliance with the
Takings Executive Order has resulted in a massive violation of constitutionally
guaranteed property rights, subjecting the federal government to liability
for $1 billion or more."
Mr. Marzulla served as an attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice
under former Attorney General Edwin Meese III. In 1988, he spearheaded
the Reagan administration's initiative that resulted in Executive
Order 12,630. The Executive Order was designed to avoid where possible
the destruction of constitutionally protected property rights by federal
agencies by requiring that a takings impact assessment (TIA) be performed
prior to any federal action that implicated private property rights.
"We urge Congress to required federal agencies to comply with
the Takings Executive Order, and to undertake a good faith effort
to protect the property rights of the citizens as the Constitution
requires," stated Mr. Marzulla.
Defenders of Property Rights is the only national public interest
legal foundation dedicated exclusively to the protection of property
rights. For further information about Defenders and to download a
copy of Defenders's testimony please go online to
for More Information,
Nancie G. Marzulla
http://www.yourpropertyrights.org/
or contact at 202-822-6770.
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Brian J. Rogers
Director of Policy and Development
Defenders of Property Rights
1350 Connecticut Ave., NW Ste. 410
Washington, DC 20036