Results of ODFW Hearing 3/4/2003?

BrionLutz · 02-04-2003, 03:41 PM

Jerry,

Interesting attending the hearing today. Thanks for being the point man in bringing it to everyone's attention.

1. How do you think we did today vis a vis getting the fee increased and funding the hatcheries and ODFW?

2. Since the entire paying constituency is for the fee increase, why would the committee or full legislature have any problem with it?

3. Who the heck was Rep. Nelson? I thought Tammy Fay Baker escaped from the slammer and dyed her hair black. Is she the answer to question No. 2? She suddenly jumped to attention when Ray Vaughn (sp?) was speaking.

4. I'm writing my state reps to lobby for it. Any particular twist to lobbying them on this issue?

Thanks again.

Brion

[ 02-04-2003, 04:47 PM: Message edited by: BrionLutz ]

Thumper · 02-04-2003, 03:57 PM

Wow, whadda mob! Great turnout. Jerry and Jennie did a great job of rallying the troops and getting the huge turnout.

Now THAT is doing something about a problem!

hound · 02-04-2003, 04:15 PM

yes that was a great turnout....main room was full and we filled 2 over flow rooms...

great job every body!!!!

still havn't figured out why we have to beg congress to take our money on this...

mike

lost_sailor · 02-04-2003, 04:15 PM

I already bashed Rep Nelson over here , but ... yeah.

I must add that Jerry did a GREAT job right at the start of the public testimony. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Jerry, sorry I forgot to introduce myself, I was way past due for getting to work! :shocked:

BrionLutz · 02-04-2003, 04:28 PM

Lost sailor,

I'll third your comment on Rep. Nelson, can't say enough bad about her <grin>. She almost jumped over the dias when she realized one of her constituents and, apparently, a local business person was speaking.

Like you, I can't imagine how anyone who ever heard her speak would have voted for her.

We need to get that guy (Ray Vaughan?) to help her see the light. She looked to be the only problem on the committee.

Be interesting to hear from Jerry or any of the other folks who lobby regularly what the deal was. I wonder if it was all an act and she just wanted everyone to beg for it or what.

Brion

02-04-2003, 04:32 PM

Although Rep.Nelson made some valid points she, in my opinion and others, was grandstanding. Great turnout for sportsfishers though [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] Can't say we haven't made our feelings known.
Thumper! you carpetbagger!

What were you doing there?

lost_sailor · 02-04-2003, 04:46 PM

this just in from the email front:

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. You will be pleased to know I am
supporting HB2260, which proposes a modest fee increase for ODFW
liscences. This legislation represents the coordinated efforts of the
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and a wide range of private
industry organizations. This proposal will ensure the protection of
critical state fish and wildlife services.

Representative Dave Hunt
900 Court St. NE H-473
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1440 office
503-986-1566 fax
rep.davehunt@state.or.us

Proudly representing northern Clackamas County's communities of
Gladstone, Oak Grove, Jennings Lodge, Johnson City, and Clackamas

Amerman · 02-04-2003, 04:59 PM

Jerry

Way to go on this [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] . You kicked off what was a great meeting with a great speech. (other than when you said Ifish.com)

It was nice to see so many Ifishers and so many guides there today. I was in the second over flow room until they came in and kicked some of us out into a the third overflow room which was already pretty full, because they said we were exceeding the fire marshal allocation for the room. When I went back up stairs later they also had a TV set up out in the hall for even more people.

fish_on · 02-04-2003, 06:01 PM

Will the money raised by the fee increase go directly to ODFW, and if so will the state off set the direct funds by lowering the money allocated from the general fund to match essentially keeping the funding the same and not raising as is needed? I learned today this is one of the pitfalls of fees earmarked to go directly to a program of agency, they don�t see this as additional money they see it as less general funds they need to give.

[ 02-04-2003, 07:50 PM: Message edited by: fish_on ]

BrionLutz · 02-04-2003, 06:28 PM

Fishon,

Quote:

Will the money raised by the fee increase go directly to ODFW, and if so will the state off set the direct funds by lowering the money allocated from the general fund to match?

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">I think Rep. Kropf asked that question today and the answer, I'm pretty sure, was that the license fees go only to the ODFW. ODFW had some discretion on spending but in this case the ODFW admin's were testifying that the license fees would go to keeping the hatcheries open, keeping the support and enforcement folks employed.

Brion

lost_sailor · 02-04-2003, 06:43 PM

they already axed the g.f. money, thus the need for fee increase.

That's not to say they won't axe more - - we can always visit again

Gun Rod Bow · 02-04-2003, 07:10 PM

I for one was happy to take time to attend. I just wish there was some sort of organized fasion for letting the decision makers know how many of us took time to drive down in support of our hatcheries.

Just after Jerry spoke, I took a head count in the downstairs overflow room(52), the second room (C) and went up to D and mentioned to a guy wearing a blue sport coat that I counted 87 people who had shown up in support but were in the overflow rooms.

I asked him to mention it when he gave his comments. I wish that we could make a better statement for all who took the effort to attend.

I guess us sporties are just learning about this political game. Looks to me like we're catching on.

Good Job Everyone!!

Wish I had longer to visit.

GRB

Biteme · 02-04-2003, 07:13 PM

the only thing Im concerned about after sitting and listening for 2 and 1/2 hours is that is the money going to the hatcheries or turkey hunting or deer or elk hunting or etc etc etc. I also think that there were alot of different interests represented and not all of them are the same. which hatcheries, which programs, which agendas. all in all it is still a good thing and a great turnout.

drifter · 02-04-2003, 07:18 PM

I was there and was also very impressed by the crowd.

To Jerry Dove - you did an excellent job testifying today. In my profession, I have seen numerous legislative hearings and alot of testimony. You were both professional and personal. A great combination. I was proud to by one of the crowd. Keep us posted on the bill. Drifter.

WaterDog · 02-04-2003, 07:22 PM

What was Rep. Nelson's stance on this issue?

BrionLutz · 02-04-2003, 07:38 PM

Waterdog,

Quote:

Originally posted by WaterDog:
What was Rep. Nelson's stance on this issue?

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">As near as I could tell her take was that the fee increase was a communist plot to pollute our pure bodily fluids.

She implied that there was too much "waste and abuse" at ODFW and that's where the money should come from though she could not say exactly what this "waste and abuse" was or where to find it.

She also said that if we raise the fee today we might raise it in the future....Hello??!! No kidding.

She then grandstanded on how terrible it was for veterans and those over 65 to have to pay for a fishing license...she'd prefer to shut the hatcheries so veterans, those over 65 and everyone else has no reason to have a fishing license in the first place.

Kind of Dire Straits view...."Money for nothing and the salmon for free".

She didn't suggest the obvious if she really had such concerns, increase the fee to allow for half price license fees for those deemed deserving.

She seemed totally phony...from her American Flag outfit to her 10 lbs of makeup to her self serving comments.

She definitely would have voted against establishing the ODFW, the hatcheries and salmon restoration in the first place and probably has voted against them since.

I think the other Reps, to their credit, were embarrassed by Rep. Nelson.

Brion

WaterDog · 02-04-2003, 07:50 PM

Thanks. I figured that was her stance.

I got an email ready to send to her. She is my rep. :blush: :depressed: No I didnt vote for her.

Dipnet · 02-04-2003, 07:56 PM

Oh, come on you guys, give Tam...er... Donna a break! :blush: After all, her political signs before the last election said, and I quote "Vote For Donna Nelson, She's A Keeper".

How can she not be for keeping the hatcheries open??? [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

Dipnet :grin:

Thumper · 02-04-2003, 07:57 PM

I dunno........She did point out that she is a steelheader herself, and I got the feeling that when push comes to shove that she will back the bill.

[ 02-04-2003, 08:58 PM: Message edited by: Thumper ]

skein · 02-04-2003, 08:12 PM

Jerry,

I agree with the others - you were:

prepared
articulate
professional
personable
committed
comfortable
focused

...and a friend to the fisherman.

It was a pleasure to be in the same room with you.

Skein

Fishplay · 02-04-2003, 08:12 PM

Sportsmen and Sporstwomen literally overflowed the Capitol building today. They were every where! On the street, in local businesses, and in the Capitol itself. Everywhere I went I saw someone besides myself wearing a sticker in support of HB 2260. Three cheers to everyone who attended!

I enjoyed my chat with politicians, Ifishers, ODFW staff members, local guides, and sportfishing lobyists.

Thank You to Liz Hamilton, the Executive Director of The Northwest Sportfishing Association, for your forethought in providing the HB 2260 Support Stickers.
It really made us recognizable.

The only opposistion present today was Rep. Nelson. Yes, she was grandstanding. Her consituancy is largely retired and she clearly wanted it in the record that she opposed the bill because of the reprecussions it would have on those on fixed incomes.
Her reasons were valid and she made some good points. I think the State can and should do more to keep fishing affordable for the elderly and disabled. I think those issues should be addressed on their own merits after we save the hatcheries and the Oregon economy from further destruction.

Faces I recognized and may or may not have had an opportunity to visit with:

Skein
RFA Janice
Black Magic
Uglygreen
Tom Burgess
Terry Mulkey
Jerry D
Thumper
Scott Ammerman
Lindsey Ball
Ed Bowles
Rep. Terry Thompson
Ron Byrd

Many others who's names escape me.

Thank you again to all of you who attended and to those of you who took the time to write your representative.

PS
There is still time to contact your representatives if you haven't done it yet!

BrionLutz · 02-04-2003, 08:20 PM

Jack,

Quote:

Originally posted by Thumper:
I dunno........She did point out that she is a steelheader herself

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">I don't think she was refering to the fish...more like the Tin Man in Wizard of Oz though I think her tune was the Scarecrows "If I only had a brain" <grin>.

I think she'll vote for it also which made her act doubly phony she was doing a holier than thou bit with her "concern" for the taxpayers, the veterans, the disabled, the "fill in the blank", all of whom she's probably stiffed with funding cuts.

I don't think there was a person in the room including the other Reps who was not put off by her behavior.

Brion

WaterDog · 02-04-2003, 08:33 PM

Her rally cry is for the down trodden and yes she loves to put on a good show. What did you expect from Texas?

I would like to know how she figures herself as a steelheader? We have a steelmill, maybe that is what she's talking about.

skein · 02-04-2003, 09:23 PM

I'm pretty sure she wouldn't know which end to put the adipose on. :grin: Amazing the people who get elected.

However, I felt that Jeff Kropf did an outstanding, even sincere, job today. I'm glad he's chairing the committee.

Skein

[ 02-04-2003, 10:24 PM: Message edited by: skein ]

Point-of-Sale Clerk · 02-04-2003, 09:36 PM

Rubber-baby-buggy-bumpers :grin:

[ 02-05-2003, 03:15 PM: Message edited by: *** Clerk ]

Straydog · 02-04-2003, 09:42 PM

My heartfelt 'Thank you!' to all that attended.
[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

I surely wish I could have made the trip.

Navigator · 02-04-2003, 10:06 PM

Jerry -- I enjoyed meeting you.

I was glad I went and testified in support. Got my $0.02 in. Unfortunately, I had to miss the beginning of the hearing (and missed my chance to meet some of you) because of a work commitment, but stayed till the end. Chairman Kropf acknowledged the numbers did indeed arrive and he has gotten the message. He clearly indicated that he saw the 'other hand' on the issue of raising fees - and that is the importance of fish and wildlife resources to the state and its economy. It sounds like there will be another hearing for Director Lindsay Ball to answer some questions raised in an earlier hearing.

Portland Audubon was the last to testify. Much to my surprised they testified in support of the bill. It was pretty straight up testimony. Even suggested that bird watchers and non-consumption recreationists needed to start paying fees to support wildlife programs as the hunting and fishing community basically has paid for those opportunities for them. Of course, the non-consumptive use fees would give that element some leverage with the ODFW budget - but so be it. It was candid testimony that did impress Chairman Kropf. It highlighted for me how much common ground we share with others that we feel have conflicting views on the environment.

Good work everyone.

PS -- The only Ifisher I recognized there was Dave Johnson. With the Clack dropping into shape and the sun shinning, that truly was a sacrifice.

[ 02-04-2003, 11:13 PM: Message edited by: Navigator ]

justdave · 02-05-2003, 07:25 AM

I was unable to attend due to work comittments. I thank all who did go and to all of the organizers. I've been in this state my entire life, enjoying what it has to offer. So many have come from around the country and the world, many just for the quality of life. It shows the impact of organization and comittment.

Just Dave