Freedman fossil fuel royalty change front man to fund the WDFW gap.

[Special T]

This was highlighted  on the departments FB page.

http://www.conservationnw.org/evergreen-state-in-red-wdfw-budget/?fbclid=IwAR1y1-zBysMf-aPhQWGOgyrZD4I0lsCwzfvrew6mYXxfKkt1-13A55vikS4

It appears that the department wants to make Mitch Freedman the front man to push for a fossil fuel tax to fund the department. Im kind of beside myself, and not really sure what to make of it.

[Bill W]

I think the state should stop grabbing tax funds for fluff programs.  That money should go to WDFW as the state should have a requirement to fund that department.

[Jake Dogfish]

The DNR has already asked for 90 million for Orca recovery.  The Wdfw will break there calculator adding up all the money they are going to ask for.  I just hope that important things in the Wdfw budget are not sacrificed for this huge Orca recovery money pit. 

[Igor]

I guess I'm a little dense.  I read the article, and I just do not see any mention of a "fossil fuel tax".  I do see mention of an effort to "allocate a portion of federal fossil fuel royalties to state and tribal fish and wildlife grants".  To me that is saying that there are federal dollars from already existing royalties that could be diverted to help fund the WDFW.

[ribka]

Friedman is a self admitted eco terrorist and a con artist perfecting his scam on the poor tax payers and sportsmen in the PNW. He’s laughing all the way to the bank. Can’t believe the suckers buy into his lies.

Look at the last decade, the most recent California,  of wild lands destruction by uncontrollable fires to see the results of his folly and CNW’s radical unscientific eco agenda. No need to even mention wolves:)

[Bob33]

Has a better representative come forward to address the issue of underfunding our state's department of fish and wildlife?

[KFhunter]

WDFW needs to kick CNW out of its bed.

[KFhunter]

Has a better representative come forward to address the issue of underfunding our state's department of fish and wildlife?

That thought has merit, unfortunately CNW will reach a lot of tree hugging "save the Orca's" liberal types.   

They might get the carbon tax to pass next time.  How much is that going to cost taxpayers? 

What I want to know is how much is Mitch going to cost WDFW?   They paid over 1m to that facilitator who's accomplished what exactly? 

How much is Mitch going to cost WDFW

@MitchFriedman

[CGDucksandDeer]

No one is proposing an individual "fossil fuel tax" to help fund WDFW. If you were referring to the Recovering America's Wildlife Act, that's a proposal working through Congress similar to the Land and Water Conservation Fund that would direct $26 million in wildlife funding to Washington state (and varying funds to all other states). But it's not the core issue at hand here locally.

The agency, and various stakeholder groups from Hunters Heritage Council and Mule Deer Foundation to CNW, Audubon and Illwaco Charter Association, is seeking significantly increased appropriations from the state General Fund to take the bulk of the funding burden off hunters and anglers, as well as modest fee increases (for example annual combo license fee increases would be between approximately $13.75 and $17.57).

Recommended reading:

https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/sports/outdoors-wdfw-budget-woes-could-be-forestalled-in-future/
(includes description of Recovering America's Wildlife Act)
http://nwsportsmanmag.com/wdfw-budget-panel-urges-commission-to-revisit-fee-increase-proposal/

http://nwsportsmanmag.com/wdfw-commission-decides-on-15-percent-fee-hike-after-all-but-with-caps/

https://www.dailyrecordnews.com/outdoors/inside-the-outdoors-why-you-should-support-dfw-budget-solutions/article_f9d98937-f48a-5b38-bb17-c2474a8e0467.html?

[Special T]

I guess I'm a little dense.  I read the article, and I just do not see any mention of a "fossil fuel tax".  I do see mention of an effort to "allocate a portion of federal fossil fuel royalties to state and tribal fish and wildlife grants".  To me that is saying that there are federal dollars from already existing royalties that could be diverted to help fund the WDFW.

Perhaps i read it wrong or differently. If the funds are diverted for "Conservation" surely they will ask for more to make it up some how... Perhaps it is just changing priorities in spending but I dont know of many agencies that are willing to forgo a revenue stream. 

[KFhunter]

Most BPAG members signed onto a letter we sent to the Fish and Wildlife Commission that makes our case for more funding, suggesting 25 percent of the gap be filled by increased license fees, and the rest from the state’s general fund. I’m working with other BPAG members to make the case directly to legislators, and when the time’s right during the upcoming legislative session, we will ask for your help in that process.

Many of us on the BPAG hope to help develop a proposal for a new source of sustainable revenue that will further support the conservation and recreation needs of the department. The challenge is Washington’s tax code is already so regressive—with most revenue coming from sales taxes that disproportionately hit lower-income people—that adding a special tax anywhere would add to the inequity. We are, however, pursuing an idea for a voluntary stamp or sticker that would be collaboratively marketed by outdoor retailers and others, with the revenue restricted to conservation purposes.

We are also actively supporting federal legislation, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, which would allocate a portion of federal fossil fuel royalties to state and tribal fish and wildlife grants.

[Special T]

I changed the title to attempt to more closely describe the article...

Perhaps i just find it troubling that He is the person Highlighted by the department.

[Stein]

Nothing in the Orca plan will help fisherman, either commercial or recreational.  It will suck money, suck quota and become the spotted owl of the sea I am afraid.

[KFhunter]

Nothing in the Orca plan will help fisherman, either commercial or recreational.  It will suck money, suck quota and become the spotted owl of the sea I am afraid.

It has inland implications too regarding waterways and dams, remember we had a fish bio in central wa get chased up a tree doing salmon streams survey work

sent from the telephone

[Stein]

Yep, they have already talked about climate change, pollution, runoff, it’s the holy grail for pushing regulations that can’t even pass initiative.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[KFhunter]

Hirst decision x1000000

[ribka]

So as the paid spokesmen for CNW will CNW continue to fight to shut down hunting seasons?

No one is proposing an individual "fossil fuel tax" to help fund WDFW. If you were referring to the Recovering America's Wildlife Act, that's a proposal working through Congress similar to the Land and Water Conservation Fund that would direct $26 million in wildlife funding to Washington state (and varying funds to all other states). But it's not the core issue at hand here locally.

The agency, and various stakeholder groups from Hunters Heritage Council and Mule Deer Foundation to CNW, Audubon and Illwaco Charter Association, is seeking significantly increased appropriations from the state General Fund to take the bulk of the funding burden off hunters and anglers, as well as modest fee increases (for example annual combo license fee increases would be between approximately $13.75 and $17.57).

Recommended reading:

https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/sports/outdoors-wdfw-budget-woes-could-be-forestalled-in-future/
(includes description of Recovering America's Wildlife Act)
http://nwsportsmanmag.com/wdfw-budget-panel-urges-commission-to-revisit-fee-increase-proposal/

http://nwsportsmanmag.com/wdfw-commission-decides-on-15-percent-fee-hike-after-all-but-with-caps/

https://www.dailyrecordnews.com/outdoors/inside-the-outdoors-why-you-should-support-dfw-budget-solutions/article_f9d98937-f48a-5b38-bb17-c2474a8e0467.html?

[Dale Gribble]

Ol Mitch coming to hunt Wa again to try and convince us all he’s the saint of the woods and water. Answer this bud, when they were wondering where all their money went did they mention how much they spent building a new f-ing office in Ellensburg? I’m sure it wasn’t cheap since it would’ve been a prevailing wage job and is not your run of the mill office. But that’s alright let’s just increase taxes on all the low income and middle class families at the suggestion of a bunch of eco terrorists. Un freaking believeable. I’m guessing Wa will lose more hunters to great states like ID and MT that actually care about their deer and elk populations.

[Humptulips]

I guess I would be pretty supportive of getting DFW some more money however it came in if they made some indications they were supportive of sportsmen. Lately I get the feeling we would be better off if they went out of business.

[MtnMuley]

Ol Mitch coming to hunt Wa again to try and convince us all he’s the saint of the woods and water. Answer this bud, when they were wondering where all their money went did they mention how much they spent building a new f-ing office in Ellensburg? I’m sure it wasn’t cheap since it would’ve been a prevailing wage job and is not your run of the mill office. But that’s alright let’s just increase taxes on all the low income and middle class families at the suggestion of a bunch of eco terrorists. Un freaking believeable. I’m guessing Wa will lose more hunters to great states like ID and MT that actually care about their deer and elk populations.

Quit it with the truth already

[WAcoyotehunter]

Ol Mitch coming to hunt Wa again to try and convince us all he’s the saint of the woods and water. Answer this bud, when they were wondering where all their money went did they mention how much they spent building a new f-ing office in Ellensburg? I’m sure it wasn’t cheap since it would’ve been a prevailing wage job and is not your run of the mill office. But that’s alright let’s just increase taxes on all the low income and middle class families at the suggestion of a bunch of eco terrorists. Un freaking believeable. I’m guessing Wa will lose more hunters to great states like ID and MT that actually care about their deer and elk populations.

You didn't read any of those articles, did you? 

[Dale Gribble]

Ol Mitch coming to hunt Wa again to try and convince us all he’s the saint of the woods and water. Answer this bud, when they were wondering where all their money went did they mention how much they spent building a new f-ing office in Ellensburg? I’m sure it wasn’t cheap since it would’ve been a prevailing wage job and is not your run of the mill office. But that’s alright let’s just increase taxes on all the low income and middle class families at the suggestion of a bunch of eco terrorists. Un freaking believeable. I’m guessing Wa will lose more hunters to great states like ID and MT that actually care about their deer and elk populations.

You didn't read any of those articles, did you?

Actually I did, what’s your point? Kind of an open ended question you have there.

[WAcoyotehunter]

The point is that none of them mention tax increases for the low and middle class and the suggestion for revenue came from a pretty broad group, including hunters/anglers.  You should get ahold of those folks (hunting representatives) if you don't like the plan.

[Dale Gribble]

Ok I get your point. From my perspective, a fee increase on hunters and anglers is a tax and it’s a fair assumption to think that most people who spend their time hunting are blue collar workers making a middle class wage. Just as in voting I personally want to be informed as possible and when it comes to this topic yes, I read the articles Mitch put hyperlinks for but also the one from his website in the OP, where they talk about changing state tax codes because it’s “too regressive.” Not trying to get into a keyboard spat with you brother just stating my opinions, have a great day.

[ribka]

The point is that none of them mention tax increases for the low and middle class and the suggestion for revenue came from a pretty broad group, including hunters/anglers.  You should get ahold of those folks (hunting representatives) if you don't like the plan.

That would not be entirely correct.

CNW supported 1631 the regressive tax that puts the tax burden on the lower income and minority populations in Washington state. As you know this regressive tax causes prices to rise in all commodities. And now CNW wants to start taxing sportsmen after 1631 failed.

https://www.conservationnw.org/news-updates/statement-endorsing-initiative-1631/

[Stein]

Managing wildlife is a responsibility of the owners of the wildlife.  More money should come directly from the general fund, or a line item in the state budget.  License sales and PR funds provide a bunch, and they should, but the wildlife is the responsibility of the state.

[CGDucksandDeer]

I read the articles Mitch put hyperlinks for but also the one from his website in the OP, where they talk about changing state tax codes because it’s “too regressive.”

Mitch might be a forum member (he does hunt), but I'm not him.

[CGDucksandDeer]

Managing wildlife is a responsibility of the owners of the wildlife.  More money should come directly from the general fund, or a line item in the state budget.  License sales and PR funds provide a bunch, and they should, but the wildlife is the responsibility of the state.

I much agree. And the BPAG's recommendation and intent is to secure a significant increase in state General Fund appropriations for the Department, something that's increasingly needed, especially with how many non-game and ESA-listed species issues WDFW is working on these days.

As our license fees have not been increased since 2011, a small fee increase (less than $20) will also be needed, both to keep pace with inflation, and to gain support from state legislators for the larger WDFW funding  package.

Laying groundwork for public support for WDFW funding from both non-hunters and hunters was the intent of Mitch's piece. As was mentioned above, if sportsmen have concerns with the plan for better funding our state fish and wildlife agency, you'd do well to reach out to participating groups like Hunters Heritage Council and Mule Deer Foundation.

[WAcoyotehunter]

https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/advisory/bpag/

I'm not sure why CNW is taking a beating here due to a press release.  There are 20 people on this collaborative group and hunters/anglers are represented.  Tell them to get a press release out if you don't like CNW making news. 

Better yet, get involved in a more meaningful way.

[Special T]

https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/advisory/bpag/

I'm not sure why CNW is taking a beating here due to a press release.  There are 20 people on this collaborative group and hunters/anglers are represented.  Tell them to get a press release out if you don't like CNW making news. 

Better yet, get involved in a more meaningful way.

Here is why this sticks in my Craw. the WDFW highlights Mich Freidman above all those 20 others. There are some on that list that like or admire more than others. Ron Garner of Puget Sound Anglers, David Cloe of the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council, Rachel Voss of the Mule Deer Foundation, and Mark Pidgeon of the Hunters Heritage Council... All are working with and have a long history of working for the resource AND with the department.   Is this reaction because sportsmen are overly sensitive? Are we missing something about Mitch and CNW? Where have they been sportsmens champions? Is the department highlighting CNW ignorance, or is it virtue signaling?


IMO here is the long and short of it. Like it or not CNW is organized. Sportsmen are much less so, and it appears that if the department could supplant its income stream away form  sportmens influence they would be quite happy. Im disapointed the department choose to elevate a frenimie, likely because it seems like a more productive move than dealing with a bunch of unorganized Rabble like us.  Ive joined a couple of new sportsmen orgs recently. I encourage you all to do the same and volunteer in some small way.

[WAcoyotehunter]

It might be as simple as CNW being the only group to issue a press release about it.  Do any of the other groups have anything out??

[KFhunter]

https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/advisory/bpag/

I'm not sure why CNW is taking a beating here due to a press release.  There are 20 people on this collaborative group and hunters/anglers are represented.  Tell them to get a press release out if you don't like CNW making news. 

Better yet, get involved in a more meaningful way.

Here is why this sticks in my Craw. the WDFW highlights Mich Freidman above all those 20 others. There are some on that list that like or admire more than others. Ron Garner of Puget Sound Anglers, David Cloe of the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council, Rachel Voss of the Mule Deer Foundation, and Mark Pidgeon of the Hunters Heritage Council... All are working with and have a long history of working for the resource AND with the department.   Is this reaction because sportsmen are overly sensitive? Are we missing something about Mitch and CNW? Where have they been sportsmens champions? Is the department highlighting CNW ignorance, or is it virtue signaling?


IMO here is the long and short of it. Like it or not CNW is organized. Sportsmen are much less so, and it appears that if the department could supplant its income stream away form  sportmens influence they would be quite happy. Im disapointed the department choose to elevate a frenimie, likely because it seems like a more productive move than dealing with a bunch of unorganized Rabble like us.  Ive joined a couple of new sportsmen orgs recently. I encourage you all to do the same and volunteer in some small way.

You said it better 

CNW has credibility issues big time.

[ribka]

Mitch Friedman and CNW ‘s emotional non science based policy of shutting down all timber management has helped the western ecosystem about as well as their uncontrolled big predators policies have helped the moose and woodland caribou populations.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=96324&page=1

I wonder if Dale or the mods would allow the spokespersons of radical fringe anti sportsmen groups PETA and the Humane Society to come on Hunt WA and post false propaganda 

I’ve been actively involved in conservation groups for over 30 years and it seems like the big and well funded corporations  like CNW always win and we have no voice. Go to a wolf meeting in WA sometime in OR or WA if you want an eye opener on these dirty politics.

I’m glad CNW doesn’t have a strong foothold in Idaho Montana and Wyoming

https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/advisory/bpag/

I'm not sure why CNW is taking a beating here due to a press release.  There are 20 people on this collaborative group and hunters/anglers are represented.  Tell them to get a press release out if you don't like CNW making news.   

We sure live in strange times

Better yet, get involved in a more meaningful way.

Here is why this sticks in my Craw. the WDFW highlights Mich Freidman above all those 20 others. There are some on that list that like or admire more than others. Ron Garner of Puget Sound Anglers, David Cloe of the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council, Rachel Voss of the Mule Deer Foundation, and Mark Pidgeon of the Hunters Heritage Council... All are working with and have a long history of working for the resource AND with the department.   Is this reaction because sportsmen are overly sensitive? Are we missing something about Mitch and CNW? Where have they been sportsmens champions? Is the department highlighting CNW ignorance, or is it virtue signaling?


IMO here is the long and short of it. Like it or not CNW is organized. Sportsmen are much less so, and it appears that if the department could supplant its income stream away form  sportmens influence they would be quite happy. Im disapointed the department choose to elevate a frenimie, likely because it seems like a more productive move than dealing with a bunch of unorganized Rabble like us.  Ive joined a couple of new sportsmen orgs recently. I encourage you all to do the same and volunteer in some small way.

You said it better 

CNW has credibility issues big time.

[Special T]

Mitch Friedman and CNW ‘s emotional non science based policy of shutting down all timber management has helped the western ecosystem about as well as their uncontrolled big predators policies have helped the moose and woodland caribou populations.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=96324&page=1

I wonder if Dale or the mods would allow the spokespersons of radical fringe anti sportsmen groups PETA and the Humane Society to come on Hunt WA and post false propaganda 

I’ve been actively involved in conservation groups for over 30 years and it seems like the big and well funded corporations  like CNW always win and we have no voice. Go to a wolf meeting in WA sometime in OR or WA if you want an eye opener on these dirty politics.

I’m glad CNW doesn’t have a strong foothold in Idaho Montana and Wyoming

https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/advisory/bpag/

I'm not sure why CNW is taking a beating here due to a press release.  There are 20 people on this collaborative group and hunters/anglers are represented.  Tell them to get a press release out if you don't like CNW making news.   

We sure live in strange times

Better yet, get involved in a more meaningful way.

Here is why this sticks in my Craw. the WDFW highlights Mich Freidman above all those 20 others. There are some on that list that like or admire more than others. Ron Garner of Puget Sound Anglers, David Cloe of the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council, Rachel Voss of the Mule Deer Foundation, and Mark Pidgeon of the Hunters Heritage Council... All are working with and have a long history of working for the resource AND with the department.   Is this reaction because sportsmen are overly sensitive? Are we missing something about Mitch and CNW? Where have they been sportsmens champions? Is the department highlighting CNW ignorance, or is it virtue signaling?


IMO here is the long and short of it. Like it or not CNW is organized. Sportsmen are much less so, and it appears that if the department could supplant its income stream away form  sportmens influence they would be quite happy. Im disapointed the department choose to elevate a frenimie, likely because it seems like a more productive move than dealing with a bunch of unorganized Rabble like us.  Ive joined a couple of new sportsmen orgs recently. I encourage you all to do the same and volunteer in some small way.

You said it better 

CNW has credibility issues big time.

This is why i have pivoted some what on the Love/Hate  many of us have had for big national organizations that seem to just always call for more $. When the same face always shows up to the public meetings representing MDF, RMEF, NRA, SCI etc. there is a knowledge and relationship built. This is much harder to do with Joe 6 pack that shows up once in a while when the public input meeting is in town.

[KFhunter]

I wonder if Dale or the mods would allow the spokespersons of radical fringe anti sportsmen groups PETA and the Humane Society to come on Hunt WA and post false propaganda 

do you remember humanure?

The simple fact is we can't keep them out, they can make up some user name and pose as a random HW member. 

[Elkaholic daWg]

Why has our DFW now become  expected to do what should be the  ecology departments job. Oh yeah, as with the Forest circus it had become overloaded with environmentalists. Kind of like so us sportsmen can become to all wildlife  like  the Mens football  to all of the sports of the NCAA

[ribka]

Looks like carbon tax fraud scheme , similar to the one pushed by CNW, ain’t working too well now in France.


https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-global-carbon-tax-revolt-1543880507


And how much carbon has been released in the air the past 30 years fron uncontrolled forest fires after Mitch Friedman shut down logging???

No one is proposing an individual "fossil fuel tax" to help fund WDFW. If you were referring to the Recovering America's Wildlife Act, that's a proposal working through Congress similar to the Land and Water Conservation Fund that would direct $26 million in wildlife funding to Washington state (and varying funds to all other states). But it's not the core issue at hand here locally.

The agency, and various stakeholder groups from Hunters Heritage Council and Mule Deer Foundation to CNW, Audubon and Illwaco Charter Association, is seeking significantly increased appropriations from the state General Fund to take the bulk of the funding burden off hunters and anglers, as well as modest fee increases (for example annual combo license fee increases would be between approximately $13.75 and $17.57).

Recommended reading:

https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/sports/outdoors-wdfw-budget-woes-could-be-forestalled-in-future/
(includes description of Recovering America's Wildlife Act)
http://nwsportsmanmag.com/wdfw-budget-panel-urges-commission-to-revisit-fee-increase-proposal/

http://nwsportsmanmag.com/wdfw-commission-decides-on-15-percent-fee-hike-after-all-but-with-caps/

https://www.dailyrecordnews.com/outdoors/inside-the-outdoors-why-you-should-support-dfw-budget-solutions/article_f9d98937-f48a-5b38-bb17-c2474a8e0467.html?

[CAMPMEAT]

God I feel sorry for the citizens of Washington State.


Let me rephrase that. I feel sorry for the socialist soldiers all being forced to walk in lock step to the leaders of the state.