People’s Compact a bait and switch scheme
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
Editor,
There has been much publicity about The People’s Compact, demonstrating the lobbying skills of authors. There is much more to the story that people need to understand.
Increased fees. The People’s Compact does not cover the maintenance costs of the irrigation project. Under their proposal, farmers and ranchers would pay higher fees for water delivery.
It leaves the irrigation project in ill repair. The People’s Compact does not allocate sufficient funding for much-needed repairs caused by decades of deferred maintenance. The irrigation project would remain outdated by current standards, inefficient and a step closer to outright system failure.
It chooses federal over state rule. The People’s Compact gives power to the federal government because it asks Congress to substitute its judgment over state law. Some would call it: “ … a clear instance of federal overreach.”
It replaces a strong deal with a bribe. The People’s Compact promises an individual tribal member payout, which is a clumsy attempt to wave a distasteful bribe at a people who have long negotiated in good faith.
As Senator Dick Barrett said, the writers of this non-compact have provided a wish list but no legal standing as far as a compact goes. A compact is a negotiated settlement between two or more parties. The “people’s compact” is a non-negotiated bait and switch stunt.
Mary Stranahan
Arlee
