As reported by Steve Griffin in the January 20 issue of Michigan Outdoor News (http://www.michiganoutdoornews.com):
PILT Issue could shortchange MDNR
"Michigan hunters and boaters, buying their licenses and boat fuel, contribute to dedicated funds used to benefit wildlife, hunting and boating; funds that would be used, that is, if the Legislature OK'd it."? Read on... (http://www.michiganoutdoornews.com/articles/2006/01/26/news/news1.txt)
An important issue to us directly because $5 million we should have for boating access and the Waterways Fund is being withheld by our Legislature because of the so-called 'payment in lieu of taxes' issue between the MDNR and local governments.
The two issues are not related and our funds should not be withheld when they are paid specifically for a targeted purpose, not general usage. Our legislature has shown in the past that they will raid even targeted funds when there's enough money in them to be too tempting to ignore. These raided funds rarely, if ever, get paid back, and we sportspersons are out money we paid in good faith for specific purposes.
We need to do two things:
1) Call your Michigan legislator and demand that the DRIP and MDNR boating money be given to the MDNR as you intended when you paid into it with your licenses and boat gas purchases. Tell them either use the money as you intended or don't collect the money from you in the first place. Remind them this is an election year.
Find a state representative (http://house.michigan.gov/find_a_rep.asp)
Find a state senator (http://senate.michigan.gov/SenatorInfo/find-your-senator.htm)
2) Critical - vote YES and ask all your friends and neighbors to vote yes on November 7 on Proposal 1 - this will give all 20 of the MDNR's restricted funds constitutional protection.
Right now, they only have statutory protection. Statutes are easily changed - which is why these funds have been raided severely in the past. Constitutional protection will make sure these moneys we pay in good faith get used the way we expected them to be when we paid them and all you have to do is vote YES on Proposal 1.
I agree Dan. If we don't vote YES, then the legislators will dedicate the money to something else and the outdoor industry and the MDNR will suffer. I urge all of the anglers here on the forum to vote YES on 1....November 7, 2006.
BD ;D
We need to keep pumping this issue all the way till November! Thanks for being so vigilant Dan. This site is going to make a difference as well as a great place for anglers to vent, question, cajole, learn, and just hang out. Great site.
I'll be doing some contacts later in the week to my state rep and senator to release the money to the deer program and waterways. These are completely separate from the long standing PILT issue and should NOT be held hostage.
I will put up a "Vote Yes on Proposal 1" news flash as we get closer to the November vote.
working on an update to this important issue
I am waiting. It's been three hours hours. I'm still wating. Remember how the Jaguar will wait.
Get some sleep Dan. Bass Season is coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The time is coming up for Michigan voters this November 7 to Vote Yes on Proposal 1 - to make sure the moneys we pay in good faith for game and fish management, and public lands/access are protected and used for what we voters intended rather than siphoned off for any fly-by-night use some legislator or other official thinks up.