cannabisnews.com: Clinton Vetoes D.C. Budget Clinton Vetoes D.C. Budget Posted by FoM on September 28, 1999 at 13:27:24 PT By Kevin Galvin Source: Star Tribune WASHINGTON President Clinton vetoed Congress' budget for the District of Columbia on Tuesday because Congress added numerous " unacceptable" restrictions " that prevent local residents from making their own decisions about local matters, " he said in a statement. The budget as drafted on Capitol Hill would, for example, prevent the district from spending its own funds to lobby for voting rights for its citizens and undermine a local medicinal marijuana initiative. But Linda Ricci, spokeswoman for the Office of Management and Budget, said Clinton acted to defend the principle of home rule, not in response to any individual restriction. " This is not about the ins and outs of each rider, " she said. " This is about permitting the local residents of the District of Columbia to make their own decisions about local matters the way that any citizen of any other city in America is entitled to." Although the measure would govern how the district could spend the entire $5.1 billion budget, the federal government would provide less than one-tenth of the total, $429 million, with local taxes and fees providing the rest. It would have prevented the city from allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes despite a Nov. 3 referendum -- approved by 69 percent of the voters -- that backed such a policy. The bill also would have required the National Park Service to implement an earlier decision allowing towers to be built in Rock Creek Park for cellular phone use. Local leaders and environmentalists have objected. Published Tuesday, September 28, 1999 Copyright 1999 Associated PressLighting Up The Debate Over Med. Use of Marijuana - 9/28/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3051.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #6 posted by FoM on September 28, 1999 at 20:30:31 PT: It's Happening! Dr. Ganj! I really like the link you left. We have the same taste in web sites I think! Thanks!Ally it is good news isn't it? We're on our way! I hope, I hope! [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Ally on September 28, 1999 at 18:22:37 PT I had been off line for most of the PM FoM,I was glad to see such a victory. This should show politicians like Bob Barr that we aren't going to take his crap anymore! Anyway maybe all those faxes from the ACLU website made a difference. I don't know but I am estatic about this good news!! Keep on singing the praises of sweet freedom...Hooray for DC. The people win...Shalom, Ally [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by phartwell on September 28, 1999 at 17:09:35 PT Bob Barr This is great. First, William Jefferson Clinton has cover to veto the appropriation bill. Second, the quintessential idiot, Bob Barr is against this. The more the Nazi Bob Barr fights against it, the more reasonable people will be for it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on September 28, 1999 at 16:38:25 PT: A Humble Victory! Hello Dr. Ganj!It is a humble victory. Maybe we are starting to make enough noise that they are finally hearing what the majority of people in the USA believe already. Marijuana should be legal for patients. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. The truth is the truth and the truth does prevail.Peace, FoM! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Dr. Ganj on September 28, 1999 at 16:25:01 PT Initiative 59 Finally Clinton did the right thing, but it seems he was also going with the majority. Nothing really Earth shaking here. Now the residents of D.C. can implement their new medical marijuana law, and have legal access to this effective medicine.This is proof that voting on referendums works, even though there are tyrants like Bob Barr out there. Good always prevails, but sometimes it just takes longer than expected.Cheers,Dr. Ganj http://www.suresite.com/ca/s/strains/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on September 28, 1999 at 15:39:23 PT: Related Article Clinton Vetoes DC Budget KEVIN GALVINSF Gatehttp://www.sfgate.com/Associated Press WriterTuesday, September 28, 1999 President Clinton vetoed Congress' budget for the District of Columbia on Tuesday because lawmakers added restrictions that would have prevented residents from ``making their own decisions about local matters.'' ``Congress should not impose such conditions on the District of Columbia,'' he said in a statement. Addressing some Republicans' threats that a veto could jeopardize the district's funding, he said it was ``wrong for some in Congress to threaten to cut funding that would fight crime, expand educational opportunity ... and improve children's health.'' The budget as drafted on Capitol Hill would have prevented the district from taking a number of actions, including spending its own funds to lobby for voting rights for its citizens and allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Rep. Ernest Istook Jr., R-Okla., said the veto sent the wrong message in the effort to fight drug abuse. ``This is about legalizing drugs in the nation's capital, and using that as a steppingstone for the rest of the country,'' Istook said. ``Everyone who cares about combating drugs should be sickened by the Clinton veto.'' But Linda Ricci, spokeswoman for the Office of Management and Budget, said Clinton acted to defend the principle of home rule, not in response to any individual restriction. ``This is not about the ins and outs of each rider,'' she said. ``This is about permitting the local residents of the District of Columbia to make their own decisions about local matters the way that any citizen of any other city in America is entitled to.'' Although the measure would govern how the district could spend the entire $5.1 billion budget, the federal government would provide less than one-tenth of the total, $429 million, with local taxes and fees providing the rest. It would have prevented the city from allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes despite a Nov. 3 referendum -- approved by 69 percent of the voters -- that backed such a policy. The bill also would have required the National Park Service to implement an earlier decision allowing towers to be built in Rock Creek Park for cellular phone use. Local leaders and environmentalists have objected. It was the 27th veto of Clinton's presidency and comes amid a contentious budget season. Last week, Clinton vetoed a $792 billion Republican tax cut. Congress has sent only four of the 13 annual spending bills to Clinton this year. Lawmakers are working on a stopgap spending measure that would keep the federal government operating while lawmakers and the administration continue wrangling over a budget.http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/cnews/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/1999/09/28/national1521EDT0666.DTL [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: