O.D.N.R.Proposed budjet cuts by State Legislaters

[Jerry Stwan]

A proposed budjet cut is in the final stages in Columbus effecting the O.D.N.R. The results of this cut could devistate in place programs and result in a raise in our hunting, fishing and trapping fees.This cut could happen as soon as Feb.28 2001. We stand to loose up to 4.5 mil of OUR money!I urge tou to call your local legislator and have him turn this down.THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!!Its up to all sportsmen.Spread the word now!

[Den]

Eyebanger, everybody had better wake up and soon too. we pay for it and they wanna take it away, and it aint the div, of wildlife that is taking it away, it be from the non doing anything part of our government in columbus. lets start writing guys and gals.
Den

[Airwave(OH)]

Jerry if you could post some names or addresses so folks will know where to write. I think that would spur a few more votes.

[Raybob]

Here's the latest attack on the ODNR .. div of wildlife

Legislators Are Deciding Ohio's Budget - Division of Wildlife Could be Affected-
http://wlfa.org/interactive/features/Read.cfm?ID=460

[Jerry Stwan]

Thanks RayBob, I did not have all this imformation available at the time of posting.I hope this catches on.GO SPORTSMEN!!

[Buckeye]

I spoke with a friend in Columbus today about the proposed budget cuts and one of the bigger line items to cut out completely is the reimbursement to the DOW for the senior hunting and fishing licenses. These are issued for free to Ohio residents over 66 years of age. I was told the dollar amount for 2000 was $2.4 million (160,000 licenses) and the Feds match that at a 50% rate ($1.2 million). The DOW stands to lose $3.6 million on a $2.4 million dollar cut.

More importantly, seniors on a fixed income will lose a privlege they have paid for all their lives and the hunting and fishing community could possibly lose some voting power in wildlife related referendums such as the recent attempt to ban dove hunting in Ohio.

Much of the overall budget cuts for the state of Ohio is taking place in effort to come up with a solution to the school funding issue.

I called my state senator and congressman today and they both said they have JUST started to hear about concerns in the past day or two. Use the WLFA link on the site posted previously to contact your congressman and senator. Don't delay.

[Den]

i do hope people will wake up to what the government is trying to do. it is maybe too late as of now, but we had all better start writing name down for the next elections. i know that i am. i am sick of the SPORTSPEOPLE coming out on the short end . we have to all get together and start being heard, and good and loud too. my opinion.
Den

[ken]

den, i agree. especially since the commercial netters have NOT had an increase in fees for the last 25 years from what i,ve read. also, part of our goal must be to eliminate all nets in ohio water, even at the cost of increased license fees. no nets equals more fish and more people coming to ohio for sportfishing. then we also have the high moral ground for eliminating nets in the waters of our canadian brothers. paying more for more is fine, paying more for less ain't right!