Hey Jerry Dove, We Showed Up, Now What?

[Gun Rod Bow]

Jerry and others,

I was happy to participate, you rallied the troups, now what?

I and about 100 dedicated supporters of sportfishing took the time to drive to Salem to support saving our hatcheries and our willingness to pay for it. It marks the first time I have driven to Salem to support any bill. My questions are:

Since we showed up, what did it help? Did the representatives know we filled 3 rooms? What impact will this have?

What do we do now? Other than e-mailing our reps, what can we do to encourage passage of this bill?

I am aware that sportfishing is vitally important to our heritage and economy. It appears that others are willing to give time. What can we do to become more of an organized voice to shape policy?

Please don't stop short. We showed up. What did we accomplish? Where do we go from here? How do we get better organized to do a better job?

Thank you Jerry and others who testified. Please help us continue.

GRB

[ 02-06-2003, 09:49 PM: Message edited by: Gun Rod Bow ]

[lost_sailor]

Just an update.

It seems that some of us forgot to use the magic words: "I am a registered REPUBLICAN VOTER."

While the committee kept the bill alive, they sent it on "without recommendation." The Repubs live in fear of approving anything like a tax or fee increase. They have prhaps been instructed by the party leadership.

The next stop is the House Ways and Means Committee. Assume that we need to fight the same fight, though I don't believe another hearing needs to be held. It's still a long road. It seems so insane that we are having to fight to pay more money.

Ways and Means has SUB-committees, so I'm not sure who will do what. My rep (Randy Miller) is the chair of W & M. I guess we'll have a talk. I've never voted for him.

I'll put up a link to the audio from yesterday so all can behold the wonder that is Rep. Nelson.

later

[Sturgeon Tom]

Does Rep Nelson has brain matter missing? As a mater of fact does that whole committee? After that speech about I will stay untill everyone gets to testify by the chairman. They acted like they were paying attention, by asking questions, but were evidently blowing smoke at us or thay would have voted a recommend to pass. I mean 100% in fovor of it, come on. What do we have to do wait until all the fish are gone and then say oh we should have passed it.

[lost_sailor]

OK the audio is here (http://www.leg.state.or.us/listn/archive/archive.2003s/HAGNR-200302061230.ram)

Hearing starts at 1:51:20 ... "steelheader" Tammy Faye Nelson starts at about 1:55:00, the vote starts at 2:03:00. Listen to the common sense from the "D"s! (No I'm not a D. OR an R.)

It seems like the message they are taking from M-28 is "we won't pay taxes." It seems to me the real message was "do something to fix the funding system for the LONG RUN" ... any ideas? What was your message, NO-voters?

[ 02-07-2003, 09:36 AM: Message edited by: lost_sailor ]

[lost_sailor]

Come on, now, listen to this thing and get :mad: :mad: :mad:

I'll make political activists graemlins/icon_argue.gif of y'all yet

graemlins/1zhelp.gif

:sleep:

[Pete]

Truly astounding sound clip ... well worth a listen. Off topic and off base - wasn't it nice that the following speaker chose not to testify? I'd bet he would have had trouble getting out of the room if he shared his unpopular views.

[Fish-n-Fever]

Truly unbelievable.
Shows just how afraid and unwilling some public "servants" are to listen to the people they represent and make a responsible effort to understand exactly what we are asking them to do. Is it any wonder why in any government body they have what seems an endless string of committees that they can "send" (or as I call it, PASS the buck) to?
I think those reps that voiced a disenting vote need some e-mails explaining just how disappointed WE are in this.
It appeared to me that Ms. Donna didn't have a clue to the nature of this bill or it's intended purpose. If she is so worried about the elderly (who I don't think would even be affected by this bill) she should do something about the high costs of electricity and gas and the cuts to many other services than to worry about a bill that might cost less than a dinner out to save what brings in millions of dollars that in turn bring in taxes that go to pay for these services.
I better stop till I get a tighter grip on my tounge.(or fingers as it may be)
Ron

[poshie]

graemlins/stupid.gif When it asks what I want to open it with, what am I clicking on???

[Pete]

Posh, the file is a RealMedia file. I think you need Real Player. You can download it by clicking HERE (http://www.real.com/?PV=10&dp=14us) but then look near the upper right corner of the page for the "Free" version of the player.