Mass. DFW in jeapordy? - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Slipknot · 09-30-2003, 10:57 AM

Does anyone care that the great state of Mass. is about to lose matching funds from the Feds? Romney is pulling a fast one and getting away with it. I urge you all to write or call your state Reps and state Senators if you live in Mass. and care about the Fish and wildlife.

Here is an article from www.goal.org

Press Release

September 29, 2003 Contact Information: James L. Wallace (508) 393-5333

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Declares Massachusetts Ineligible for Federal Aid

On September 29, 2003, the Massachusetts Conservation Alliance received a letter from the United States Fish and Wildlife that had been sent to the Massachusetts Division of Fish and Wildlife. The letter was to inform Massachusetts Director Wayne MacCallum that the State "...is no longer eligible to participate in the Federal Aid in Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs."

The letter went on further to say; "In addition to eligibility issues, the State is likely in diversion based on provisions within the FY 2004 budget. In the current Federal Fiscal Year, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration apportionments to Massachusetts totaling $4,696,755.00 are in jeopardy."

The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration (Pittman-Robertson) was approved by Congress on September 2, 1937, and began functioning July 1, 1938. This was followed by The Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, commonly referred to as the Dingell-Johnson act, passed on August 9, 1950. Funds are derived for these programs from excise taxes on sporting arms, ammunition, archery equipment, fishing rods, reels, creels, lures, flies and artificial baits, etc.

These programs were created by and supported by sportsmen across the nation in an effort to help state fish and wildlife agencies professionally manage our natural resources. With these programs, the agencies would not have to rely on general tax dollars to fund their efforts or have to worry about their resources being used as political leverage. Unfortunately, the acts of the latest Fiscal 2004 Budget in Massachusetts has undone sixty years of sportsmen's devotion and hard work.

What sportsmen and conservationists had warned the current administration about since early January 2003 is now becoming reality. With the Federal Aid making up approximately 70% of the Division's budget, this could be the end of the most efficiently run agency in the Commonwealth. Sportsmen, conservationist and the general public are outraged at the destruction of the dedicated Inland Fisheries and Game Fund, as well as the Wildland Aquisition Program, and are calling on the legislature and the current administration to restore what was wrongfully taken.

Slipknot · 09-30-2003, 11:00 AM

http://www.state.ma.us/legis/legis.htm
you should be able to find your legislature here.

The Gov put a gag order out when he first got into office and somehow passed a law to take the land fund money that was only supposed to be used for purchasing wildlands. We want it back, all 12 million.

beachwalker · 09-30-2003, 11:01 AM

Unbelievable. I am on the horn to Delahunt ASAP.

You guys had warned me about this and more when we discussed licenses.

beachwalker · 09-30-2003, 11:03 AM

Ok.

Turkington and O'leary.

Slipknot · 09-30-2003, 11:12 AM

I spoke to Straus's office and they said he was working on it. I think this can be straightened out but to lose 12 million of voluntary money that is supposed to buy land, that can piss alot of folks off. and now this latest, well it needs imediate attention and Romney better get a clue fast.

capesams · 09-30-2003, 11:15 AM

the club [salties] has been on this for a few months now, we got someone on the inside....but by the time you hear about it, it's a done deal most of the time,,, " note :I said most"

likwid · 09-30-2003, 12:17 PM

on the phone right now with the right people
grrrrr

macojoe · 09-30-2003, 04:39 PM

Well I new this was comming back in May as that was when i first posted that they Hatchery was going to go under.
In is just about a done deal! And I for one have called all the people I can. I will not be buying any Lic. at for now on and told them so!! They can arreset me if they want and i will not pay the fine!! I will sit in jail for free room and board and then My family can go on the welfare wagon. I went to the reg. this morning and turned in my trout plate!! I everyone is smart they will do the same !! Cut that SON OF A BitCC off at the knees!! He won't see a dime of my cash!!

:

MikeTLive · 10-01-2003, 12:05 PM

who to call?
What legislation to site?
Did they steal money?

I would say since we voluntarily contributed to a specific fund that they cannot go and re-allocate it. If it were collected from EVERYONE, maybe. However, since it was a voluntary fee, who knows. An experienced tax lawyer would need to get in there and validate one way or another.

During last nights commute it occurred to me that Romney might not give a flying F.

By taking the money ($12M?) he gets 12M he would not have.
If the state loses Fed money ($4M?) it is money he would not have had access to anyway. Thus, so what if he loses this money, he still gets the initial money ($12M?) to do with as he pleases.

Slipknot · 10-01-2003, 01:22 PM

The matching Fed. funds have nothing to do with the Land Stamp money, that is a separate issue. The 4 mil from the feds is to match money from tax on tackle fees from guns and permits and stuff like that.

You live in Scituate right?
Look here to get your contacts. use the web, that's what it's for.
http://www.state.ma.us/legis/citytown.htm

Ya, they took the money by passing or rescinding some law or something and appropriated the 12 mil to go to the general fund to help balance the budget. Romney thinks this state runs like a business, he has alot to learn.

They also moved the DFW money into the general fund and the Feds found out and gave them 30 days to put it back. That is what is referred to in the press release above. So yell at the Governor and your state rep and state sen. to get it back where it belongs and see that it gets used there and not taken again.

Takes 5-10 min. to write an email folks, the more the merrier.

MikeTLive · 10-01-2003, 03:18 PM

Now I am confused.
I thought I understood the issue but now realize that I do not.

Is there a clear explanation of what money had been collected and where (stamps, licenses, taxes etc.)

Where the money used to go and how it went there.

Where the money is now and how it got there.

How the changing of money location is effecting the management of fish and wildlife in MA.

What it means to me (and you) the anglers/hunters/taxpayers.

Christian · 10-01-2003, 05:18 PM

how do i find the guys to call? im in boston.

wait neva mind i got it.

ok i happen to know one of the guys, should i just send him a letter telling him to do what?help put back the 12 million into the DFW. im a virgin to this writing to reps thing..

JohnR · 10-01-2003, 06:50 PM

Time for another online petition?

Is there any official statement released by the govenor's office? Anything tangeable that we can start beyotching about?

We need to do a lot but one of things that MUST be done is getting a copy of the letter where the federal matching dollars has been rescinded. Bet the media would love that...

Slipknot · 10-02-2003, 07:39 PM

I just read this on FFSW, it looks like progress in the right direction

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Sen. Pamela Resor and Rep. Green are going to file bills to restore funds to the Fish and Game department.They are going to file them today or tommorow.So call your rep. and senator to get them behind these bills.Elizabeth Marony from Sen. Resor's office was very helpful in explaining what was being done.They are working hard to get this done.Rep. Kennedy and Sen. Creedon from Brockton are behind these bills.
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Write and call the legislatures and the Gov. to let them hear you.
Romney needs to hear he is messing up badly.

Stroth · 10-03-2003, 08:57 AM

Slip:

I got basically the same answer. People need to keep calling writing, or emailing your reps and hopefully this thing will work out.

Stroth

likwid · 10-03-2003, 09:39 AM

That gag order needs to burn so we can find out what that moron i mean mormon is doing with our money...

MikeTLive · 10-04-2003, 10:25 PM

Go here:http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php

enter your info and get names of your elected officials etc.

I just sent a letter off to the Gov, Three senators, and my local reps trying to get factual information RE money for licenses etc being diverted to the general fund.

I have received replies in the past so I am hopeful this time too.

-miket