The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania Opposes H.R. 1862, The Oil Region National Heritage Area

Harrisburg, PA - The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania today warned of legislation that would bring the federal government and the United Nations one step closer to Pennsylvania's backyards.

H.R. 1862, "The Oil Region National Heritage Area" sponsored by Rep. John Peterson (R-PA) designates areas in Venango and Crawford Counties as historic sites eligible for up to $1 million per year in federal funding for historic preservation. This return of our money, unfortunately, has strings attached. Once politicians are hooked on the annual $1 million fix, distant federal bureaucrats will have the leverage to implement their own detailed zoning rules over local objections.

Coincidentally, several environmental groups plan a major push in 2004 for laws to centralize all National Heritage Area under one federal umbrella program. Past legislative attempts would have given the Interior Secretary the power to unilaterally nominate National Heritage Areas as United Nations World Heritage Sites. This would undoubtedly bring UN bureaucrats into Pennsylvania to recommend how to manage our state lands and our nearby private property. How long until political expediency turns UN recommendations into federal mandates?

Ken Krawchuk, Chair of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania remarked that, "When you send money to the government for open space or for any federal program, you're lucky if you get a dime back on your dollar. So to pay out that $1 million subsidy, the federal government will first have to tax Pennsylvanians $10 million or more. And you can bet that the subsidy will have more strings than a cheap suit. This is exactly why small, limited government is essential to a free people."

The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania urges Pennsylvanians to oppose H.R. 1862 and any legislation like it. Krawchuk added that, "Since October 24th is United Nations Day, let's celebrate it properly by contacting Congress and telling them to oppose H.R. 1862. Let's keep federal and UN bureaucrats out of Pennsylvania."

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