ODFW Release

[FM2]

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Contact: Ann Snyder (503) 872-5264 x5363
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us Fax: (503) 872-5700

For Immediate Release Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2002

Legislature's budget-balancing plan keeps hatcheries open,
but more cuts scheduled if voters reject
temporary income tax increase

PORTLAND - The Oregon Legislature today approved a budget-balancing
plan that eliminates the state's current $482 million General Fund deficit
and keeps open the four Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
hatcheries slated for closure.

The plan makes approximately $44 million in specified cuts to state
agencies, borrows $150 million from future tobacco lawsuit payments, and
refers a $313 million temporary personal and corporate income tax
increase to voters for approval in January.

The complicated budget agreement actually reduces ODFW's General Fund
monies by $427,000, which is the cost of operating the four targeted
hatcheries for the remainder of the 2001-2003 biennium. That reduction,
however, will be filled by shifting $427,000 in Other Funds from the
department's anticipated ending balance. Good fishing license sales,
conservative spending for the last few months and careful budgeting for the
rest of the biennium should enable ODFW to avoid cutting any programs.
The department originally had been directed to reduce its budget by a
total of $877,000.

"I am very pleased with the impressive amount of support we received
during this process from the public, from so many legislators, from
Governor Kitzhaber, and from the Legislative Fiscal Office," said ODFW
Director Lindsay Ball. "We owe this outcome to the combined efforts of many
people who worked hard in support of the agency's hatchery programs."

However, Ball noted, more budget cuts could be on the horizon. If
voters reject the temporary income tax increase in January, $95 million
would be cut from schools, and an additional $215 million would be cut from
state agencies. ODFW's share of those cuts would mean an additional
$624,000 in cuts from the current budget. A continuing economic slump also
could have negative consequences.

"This budget agreement suspends the immediate hatchery closures and
allows us some time to discuss long-term funding for hatcheries and other
programs. It's one small step, but we have a lot more work to do," said
Ball. "If voters reject the tax increase and if Oregon's economy
continues to slip, we could be faced with recurring budget instability. It's
time to discuss just what kinds of fish and wildlife services and
programs Oregonians want, and how those activities should be funded in the
long-term."

Ball noted that he will take those discussions to the public.

"We will make decisions about ODFW programs and funding in an open
fashion that involves the public," he said. "It's important that people
have the opportunity to participate in the process and have their say. If
it means holding a series of town hall meetings throughout the state,
then that's what we'll do."

In the meantime, the news for anglers is good. The hatcheries are
staying open.

[GutshotApe]

There now, I feel a lot better! :grin:

[Dan9113]

You said it. I thought all along that they would not close. Put pressure on those that care about something and make them willing to pay more for it. This will be used when it comes time to pass the tax increase coming up. As well as raising our license fees. Tite lines for now anyway.

[CrazyHorse]

This is great news...but all I kept hearing throughout the article was the underlying tone ...pass the tax increase or lose your fish.
I just hope we don't pass the tax increase then they turn around and still close the hatcheries due to "A continuing economic slump"

Sorry I just don't trust these people.

But trust or not I will give my vote to pay the tax increase for the "chance" that it might keep the hatcheries open. just don't believe that if the increase passes that this will guarantee that the hatcheries stay open.

[Dan9113]

Crazyhorse,

I thought that raising our license fees was supposed to keep the hatcheries open. You watch, they will raise licenses, vote down the tax increase and then talk about closing the hatcheries. Sportsmen were strongly behind raising the costs as long as it went to keep open the hatcheries. I cannot imagine that 400,000 will not be raised with the fee increases. Like you said, you cannot trust them. They figure that if you have $100 this year and budget for $120 next year and only get $110 then you lost $10. They forget that they actually gained $10.

[brshooter]

Great news! It is only short term. We still have lots of work to do to protect our hatcheries.

[GutshotApe]

CrazyHorse - There are some politicians who I don't trust. Although politically astute, the odfw director, isn't what I call a politician, as such. I've known Mr.Ball for many years and I trust him to do his best for the resource and the people like us who value that resource. Like I said in an earlier post, if a way can be found to keep the hatcheries open, Lindsay Ball will find it. Looks like he found it (for now anyway).

[Dan9113]

Crazyhorse,

I thought that raising our license fees was supposed to keep the hatcheries open. You watch, they will raise licenses, vote down the tax increase and then talk about closing the hatcheries. Sportsmen were strongly behind raising the costs as long as it went to keep open the hatcheries. I cannot imagine that 400,000 will not be raised with the fee increases. Like you said, you cannot trust them. They figure that if you have $100 this year and budget for $120 next year and only get $110 then you lost $10. They forget that they actually gained $10.

[Bounty Hunter]

Thank goodness. That really is good news. I was trying to figure out how I was going to get out of work for the sit-in on Tuesday. Figured you guys had Monday taken care of (or would all be in jail by Tuesday). :grin:

[CrazyHorse]

gutshotape,
That does make me feel better about the situation that someone knows Mr. Ball personally. I will keep my hopes up a little anyway :smile:

[crabbait]

This may be a short reprieve, however, if it were not for the dedication and unceasing efforts of a few people the hatcheries would already be closed.

The two that I think are most responsible are Jerry Dove and our own Jennie.

Thank you for your tireless efforts, for sacrificing days on the river, for cajoling and pleading and harrassing us into action, for never giving up or giving in, for diligence and integrity.

We may not always agree on all things but one thing I think we can agree on: You have won our respect. Stand proud. You earned it.

Now back to the fray!

[CATCH AND EAT]

Somehow I do not feel comforted by this folks. I still have that sick feeling in my gut.

However, I can't help but feel that all of our calling made a difference. Keep calling folks. Be a pest but be polite.

Thanks for posting this Keith.

[skein]

Somebody's GOT to get the WORD to Jennie!!! She's under enough stress with the surgery. I think this news will cheer her up.

Skein

[Drachir]

I'm happy that this is over for the time being. We shall see in January what happens. I'm bracing for more troubles in our Oh So Near Future!!

I'M STILL VERY UPSET AT OUR LEGISLATURE!!! THEY ARE SO SCARED THEY WON'T BE RE-ELECTED THAT THEY CAN'T MAKE ANY DECISIONS!!!

[M W Sheller]

Uh, does anyone out there actually know of a "temporary tax increase", that was actually temporary?? I don't.
I am really happy that there might be hope for the for doomed hatcheries, but until "GOVT." learns to "live with-in their means", as we as families, and individuals must, we will be subject to ever greater tax increases, for ever diminishing services. I know that sounds ugly, but it's true.

Great!

To who(m) ever tries to close them again.



Hmmmm.... Quit smoking or keep personally funding them?

Love ya ***.



[ 09-18-2002, 07:25 PM: Message edited by: ****** ]

[fishisabonus]

I hope the proposed closing of the hatcheries wasn't just a ploy on the goverment's part to make us accept a tax increase. Somehow it seems a little bit fishy to me.

[Point-of-Sale Clerk]

******

I’m patient, If not this year than next… What the legislature won’t do, DEQ will…

They have a bull’s-eye on them now


Hugs-n-kisses

[The Fishing Geek]

Originally posted by fishisabonus:
I hope the proposed closing of the hatcheries wasn't just a ploy on the goverment's part to make us accept a tax increase. Somehow it seems a little bit fishy to me.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Closing the four most popular hatcheries is what is normally rolled out when they want money. They weren't going to close the hatcheries. There's too much $$$ involved in those communities that the local representatives would have made sure that the ODFW never got a favor again. They would have done exactly what they did do, cut in other areas (personnel for starters) and everything would be just fine, just like it is now.

It's called politics, folks. It's all a big game, and the citizens are the pawns.

Well then, double to you ***, after egg salad too.

[Jerry Dove]

Lets let the dust settle. Then we will get together with ODFW and work for a solution. I know if we work together we can do it. We have proven that. Jerry

[Point-of-Sale Clerk]

******...

Oh yeah! :grin:


[ 09-19-2002, 09:34 AM: Message edited by: *** Clerk ]

[Jerry Dove]

Hey ***; JUST WHAT THE HELL DOES ( OH YEA) MEAN?

[Lepper]

Great.. leave it up to the voters???? I'm for it... help fishing and schools I am ALL FOR IT!! any ideas how to get the rest of the stubborn minded pe ople out there to vote yes to this?
dave

[Jerry Dove]

I have a real problem with anyone that will make a statement and then not explain it. *** I think me is tired and should go to bed. Have fish to catch tomorrow. Good night.

[fishisabonus]

I think *** just wants to show off the cute little smiley face guys. Either that or he thinks our government is in the toilet.

[salmonquest]

The STUPID Cigarette tax does not support the hatcheries, it goes to the oregon health plan. Oh great I get to pay for all the illegal's health care. This will not end. Hopefully the income tax will NOT pass. Then King Jon is gonna hold the hatcheries hostage again, along with schools and state troopers. The public was fooled into thinking the cigarette tax was gonna help the budget, when in fact it will just go to the govenor's socialist health plan. Can't wait till he is gone, and all the idiot's in the legislature.

[Fishplay]

Lets all celebrate the good news for now. A lot of hard work has been done by an exceptional few and they deserve their moment of glory.
It's the positive thinkers that make things happen and get things done. Thank you to everyone who participated. That said:

Three cheers for Jerry and Jennie

[CATCH AND EAT]

Guess what. If you do not vote for a tax increase in november things will shut down sooner than you are predicting. Kitz says so in the ragoregonian. All we like lambs are being lead astray by the politics that are involved.

Simply put, it ain't going to get any better anytime soon. We gained an inch but they will take a mile.

[M W Sheller]

fishisabonus, you sound like you haven't been around many years. Although there is noplace I would rather live, that doesn't mean "our" government isn't "in the toilet". Our Govt.=big money. A few people have big money, the huge majority live from payday to payday.
Love it, or change it, to paraphrase a tired old narrow-minded bumper-sticker.

[Miss B Haven]

M W Shellar - you don't have much of a sense of humor do you ? Lighten up and read between the lines bud.



Actually I'm just REALLY DANG JEALOUS about all those cute little smileys. Where do you guys get those? Here I am stuck with those GOVERMENT ISSUE ones ! (Get it MW ?)