Got Reply from Senator O'Leary

[macojoe]

Dear MacoJoe:

Thank you for contacting me about the Inland Fish and Game Fund. During a state of fiscal crisis, the Commonwealth cannot afford to lose any federal funding. The potential loss of federal matching money came as a surprise to my colleagues in the Legislature and me, as we thought the Romney Administration was managing the fund appropriately.

I am an environmentalist and a dedicated advocate for the environment. I was disappointed to see the recent cuts in state funding to our already under-funded environmental agencies. Recently, I signed onto legislation to restore the Inland Fish and Game Fund so that the licenses fees that have been collected can go towards the programs for which they were intended. It is my hope that this matter will be rectified in a timely manner and that federal aid will be restored and the services provided through the Inland Fish and Game fund will continue to flourish.

I have worked hard to help secure conservation land on the Cape and the Islands. Recently, the Governor’s secretary of administration and finance announced that funding for land acquisition by the state would be put on hold. My colleagues and I objected to this and we sent a letter to the Governor strongly encouraging him not to halt the bond purchase of open space under the Environmental Bond Bill passed a year ago. Protecting open space is crucial; once this land is gone it is gone forever.

I appreciate your dedication to the environment. Please do not hesitate to contact my Legislative Aide, Brooke Couch, or me if you have any additional comments or concerns.


Very Truly Yours,

/s/

ROBERT A. O’LEARY
State Senator
Cape & Islands District