$30 million loan from the CA F&G Preservation Fund????

[spectr17]

Letter to Sacramento Bee

QUOTE

Trade loan for lower fees (1/14/09)

Buried in the just-released 2009-10 governor's budget, there is a $30
million loan from the Fish and Game Preservation Fund to the general fund.
This is equivalent to one-third of all the revenues the fish and game fund
annually receives from hunting and fishing license fees, money that
California Department of Fish and Game is supposed to use for management and
protection of fish and wildlife (i.e., wardens, fish hatchery operations,
endangered species, etc.). However, there are no details about these program
impacts, or if or when the loan will be repaid.

This year, the cost of a resident fishing license is over $40, up from
$38.85 in 2008, which was already the most expensive in the United States.

If the Legislature is going to approve this $30 million loan, it should
immediately cut license fees or at least suspend further inflation increases
in license fees until the loan is repaid. Otherwise, anglers and hunters
will be continually paying more and getting less. Combine that with the new
hatchery fish planting cutbacks, it should come as no surprise if fewer
Californians buy fishing and hunting and licenses in 2009.

- Jeff Shellito, Sacramento[/b]