Senate Joint Resolution 2

[ArkansasSloughboy]

Have you guys heard about the new resolution? Looks like the greedy politicians are after the money used to manage our outdoor resources. We need to contact our senators and make sure this thing doesn't go through.

[Fly Tier]

No I haven't heard anything about it yet .

[dburl]

Constitutional Amendment in Arkansas Would Raid Sportsmen’s Dollars
Removes Professionals From Managing Wildlife
2/3/11

 

An Arkansas senator has proposed to change the state’s constitution to allow hunting, fishing, and trapping license dollars to be used for any government expense.  It also strips authority over hunting and fishing laws from wildlife professionals and hands it to politicians.

Arkansas Sportsmen need to call their state senators today and urge them to oppose this dangerous bill!

Currently, the Arkansas constitution requires that all monies received by the Game and Fish Commission, including hunting, trapping, and fishing license dollars, be only used to manage the state’s wildlife.  Additionally, the constitution gives the Commission sole authority over hunting, trapping, and fishing laws and regulations.

Senate Joint Resolution 2, introduced by Senator Jeremy Hutchinson (R- Little Rock), would divert most monies received, including fees from sporting licenses, game violations, land sales, and other income, into the state’s general fund where it could be used to pave roads, maintain prisons, or for any other pet project the legislature chooses.  The amendment would also take authority away from the Commission regarding hunting, trapping, and fishing rules and regulations and place it with the legislature.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is currently funded by three main sources:

1. License fees
2. Reimbursement of federal excise tax on firearms, ammunition, and fishing equipment
3. A portion of the Arkansas sales tax.


This amendment would take away the license fee portion of the Commission’s funding and put the excise tax, which amounts to millions of additional dollars, in jeopardy.

“Wildlife conservation works in Arkansas and elsewhere because when sportsmen buy a hunting license, they believe the money will be used for fish and wildlife,” said Jeremy Rine, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance associate director of state services.  “When this trust is broken, you sever this link and put wildlife conservation in danger.  You also jeopardize a significant portion of Arkansas’ economy.”

Hunting, trapping, and fishing are big business in Arkansas worth $1.4 billion to the state’s economy.  It generates $100 million in tax revenues and employs over 18,000 citizens.

Take Action!  Arkansas sportsmen need to contact their state senator today and tell them to oppose Senate Joint Resolution 2.  Tell them that diverting hunting, trapping, and fishing license dollars will harm the state’s wildlife and put in jeopardy millions of dollars in federal excise tax funds.  Remind them also that wildlife management needs to be kept in the hands of professionals.   

[mpoor]

here is a link that describes it further.

http://www.arkansas.gov/senate/newsroom/index.php?do:newsDetail=1&news_id=272

[BODCAW JACK]

I think its very important that we, as sportsmen, take action when things like this arise but man it really pisses me off!!!

[Kevin]

Maybe it just omitted the fund-threatening info posted above, but from the viewpoint of this source, doesn't sound so terrible.

"The Game and Fish Commission has more motor vehicles than employees. It has leased hunting areas to gas exploration companies, causing some to question how the drilling of gas wells is compatible with the Commission's duty to manage wildlife."

"Universities can raise tuition, add degree programs and borrow money for construction without having to get approval from the legislature .... Some lawmakers have been frustrated when the boards of universities raise tuition and fees every year and then fault the legislature for failing to dedicate sufficient tax revenue to their institutions."

I'm not saying what Sloughboy said is not true, but from this particular release about the bill, there is nothing to the effect mentioned. Sounds like to me that legislature gives private entities such as the AGFC and universities a lot of OUR tax money, and they do what they damn-well please without our voice or opinion having any effect whatsoever.

I realize this release is from the Arkansas senate site so it very well could be slanted. Dburl, where was your post pasted from? Would like to read another source or two if anybody comes across it.

[DeerSlayer]

Don't think anyhbody will have to worry about it. No bils with AGFC listed in them is ever going to pass. Too many people pay attention to them so rest easy. Once the rumors start, might as well take it off the ballot.

[ArkansasSloughboy]

As said before I kind of wanted to get the rumor mill running on this so it wasn't snuck thru. Make sure you talk to your hunting buddies about it so that everyone is aware.

On universities I'd have to pull out my lotto card on that one.

As far as the AGFC having more vehicles than employees... I believe they have already emplemented a plan to remedy that.

I'm the type of "If it aint broke... don't fix it." I'm happy with the AGFC. With all of the money made from the natural gas leasing we have already begun seeing improvements. There were a lot of improvement projects and new public land purchases over the last year and I think they are directly related. My fear is that once this thing passes.. who is going to have to be begged to fix a boat ramp, or a road, or levee? someone who doesn't care about outdoor recreation? very possible since not all politicians are sportsmen or sportswomen. The AGFC does make mistakes. They lease ground for public use that never gets used, but that is for us to decide. They make it available and we have the option to use or not use it.

[ArkansasSloughboy]

I realize this release is from the Arkansas senate site so it very well could be slanted. Dburl, where was your post pasted from? Would like to read another source or two if anybody comes across it.

The first time I saw it was on the Arkansas Trappers Association website. It said exactly what Dburl pasted. No more info there.

[dburl]

I realize this release is from the Arkansas senate site so it very well could be slanted. Dburl, where was your post pasted from? Would like to read another source or two if anybody comes across it.

A fellow hunter sent this link to me Monday morning.
http://www.ussportsmen.org/page.aspx?pid=2660

[dburl]

Sorry guys , you'll have to forgive me , I'm computer illiterate..

[Kevin]

Sorry guys , you'll have to forgive me , I'm computer illiterate..

Ha, no biggy. Thanks for the links.

[mpoor]

I agree that if it ain't broke don't fix it. What does more vechicles than employees mean? Dozers, four-wheelers, tractors, pickup so what, maybe they are neccessary? The points raised do not indicate poor mangement or wastful spending, although it may be true, there is nothing to prove the point.

I remember in the early to mid 90's the environmental movement trying to get the State legislation to pass restrictive regulatory laws regarding forestry in the state. Most of the States voting population lives in cities and are easily enflunced by propaganda that may or may not be true. I saw first hand just how dishonest enviromental folks are and how unwilling to be educated they are, they have an agenda and its not conservation.

Leaving AGFC as an agency helps insulate political agendas from managing our States recources.

[Fly Tier]

I'am contacting them soon,starting with our state rep.