Charles Taylor "Eviscerates" Forest Budget

The Asheville Citizen-Times caught Congressman Charles Taylor with the smoking chainsaw in his hands:

"Early this month, the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, chaired by our own Rep. Charles Taylor, “zeroed out” of the federal budget money for the Land and Water Conservation Fund grants that states have used for local parks and recreation projects.

The subcommittee also approved only $26.8 million for federal land acquisition projects, less than one-third of the $83 million in the Bush administration budget and far short of the $220 million called for by more than 120 bipartisan members of Congress.

In addition, the Forest Legacy Program, which helps states conserve private forestlands from development, got only $9.3 million for four projects, less than a quarter of the $61.5 million President Bush requested for 31 projects in various states."

This behavior is, of course, a continuation of the pattern Taylor has demonstrated throughout his tenure. Charles Taylor sees the forests as an unnecessary drain on the federal budget and would like to see all those trees on lumber trucks. Our representative ignores the vital role the forests play in our economy, our quality of life, and our future.

Fortunately for us, Charles Taylor's craven decision making isn't the final word:

"The full house later approved the Appropriation Subcommittee’s version of the bill, which is yet to be voted on in the Senate. North Carolina’s senators Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr could help to reverse the short-sighted handiwork of the House when they have an opportunity, which should come soon."

You know what to do. Call Dole. Call Burr. Don't stop calling until they've voted to restore this money. If you get tired of calling Burr and Dole, call Charles Taylor and ask why he hates our forests.