Post by: dbllunger on January 27, 2009, 11:53:33 AM
Hello:
I am writing to let you know about an important legislative hearing regarding the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and our operational budget. The hearing is sponsored by the House General Government Appropriations Committee and will take place tomorrow night, January 28, 2009, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., in House Hearing Room C of the John O’Brien Building. A number of natural resource agency directors will present agency budget overviews and respond to Committee questions. These presentations will be followed by a formal public hearing.
Many of you know that the Governor’s operational budget proposal for next biennium reduced WDFW by $30 million and 157 full time positions. This reduction is primarily driven by a 20% cut to state general funds, a proportion that is two to three times greater than any other natural resource agency. Reductions at this level will have serious impacts to our customer services, including enforcement, providing access to recreational opportunities, and conservation of our state resources.
Interim Director Phil Anderson will provide the Committee with details as to projected budget impacts. It will be important for the Committee to understand how service reductions will occur. It will be even more important for legislators to hear related concerns from our stakeholders. A number of legislators have questioned the proposed disproportionate state general fund cuts and may be willing to adjust reduction levels to WDFW if strong stakeholder support exists. Please consider attending this important hearing. If you have any questions feel free to call.
Joe Stohr, Deputy Director
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
360.902.2650
Post by: dreamingbig on January 28, 2009, 02:40:49 PM
The significant reduction in the WDFW budget is why I believe the current 3-year season proposal so "friendly" to modern firearm hunters. They need the extra revenue from increased permit sales to attempt to head off the budget shortfall.
Hence I have little hope in any changes being made to the current proposal but I will not stop fighting for revisions.
Post by: SuperDave on January 28, 2009, 09:40:53 PM
***My opinion and only my opinion***I wondered that myself when I read the proposals. I think that is played in to the equation, more tags, more revenue. My thoughts as well.
The significant reduction in the WDFW budget is why I believe the current 3-year season proposal so "friendly" to modern firearm hunters. They need the extra revenue from increased permit sales to attempt to head off the budget shortfall.
Hence I have little hope in any changes being made to the current proposal but I will not stop fighting for revisions.
Post by: NoBark on January 29, 2009, 11:22:36 AM
Post by: dbllunger on January 29, 2009, 11:36:58 AM
Post by: 12Gauge on January 30, 2009, 07:42:48 AM
HR6257 Assault weapon ban
SB5588 Suspend WDFW
HR45 Holt Firearm Registration (federal gun registration)
HB3359 Ammo Accountability
SB5095 Lead ban for upland hunting
What is going on here? NObama gets elected and all kinds of gun bans, restrictions are coming out of the wood work. I wonder how many more are out there that we are not aware of.
Post by: Wenatcheejay on January 30, 2009, 11:11:31 PM
This is being done the same way that gun control is working. Ban the groups that are small first. The larger group will say well, I don't use those guns, I don't need them, it's OK it isn't about me. Until it is.
Divide & conquer.
Post by: Gamblin Guy on February 02, 2009, 08:41:41 AM
***My opinion and only my opinion***I wondered that myself when I read the proposals. I think that is played in to the equation, more tags, more revenue. My thoughts as well.
The significant reduction in the WDFW budget is why I believe the current 3-year season proposal so "friendly" to modern firearm hunters. They need the extra revenue from increased permit sales to attempt to head off the budget shortfall.
Hence I have little hope in any changes being made to the current proposal but I will not stop fighting for revisions.
And watch what they do next after they get these changes through, they will double the cost for the permit application to raise even more revenue, but they wont say anything about that until after these current proposals are approved.