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Jay Green and I attended
the Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Alliance's (MOHA) candidate's forum
held at the Kelly Inn in St. Paul. The following questions where
asked. I'm including them in this update because I think it is important
that you know what questions we think needed to be raised. As far
as Gubernatorial candidates, Rep. Pawlenty seemed to give answers
that were in line with what many in MOHA would like to see happen,
except for the initiative and referendum question. There is a concern
among sportsman, that with initiative and referendum small special
interest groups could get constitutional amendments passed that
would infringe upon the rights of sportsmen. Trapping in National
Refuges was banned by an amendment passed by " those damn eastern
states PETA friendly city dwellers". Now ain't that a fine kettle
of fish!
To get a more complete
description of the candidate's answers check out Outdoor News at
http://www.outdoornews.com
QUESTIONS FOR CANDIDATES
( Gubernatorial Candidate Questions:
1. State agencies are
being requested to plan for 10-15 percent budget reductions to address
budget shortfalls. This includes the DNR Divisions of Fisheries
and Wildlife, which are funded almost exclusively by dedicated funds
from fishing and hunting licenses and federal aid reimbursement.
Do you support or oppose the use of these dedicated funds to address
the budget shortfall?
2. Angling, hunting and
wildlife viewing generates well over 3.5 billion dollars in economic
activity in Minnesota. Yet, historically fish and wildlife management
in Minnesota has been almost exclusively supported by hunting and
fishing license revenue. Do you support dedicated long-term funding
such as reinvesting a portion of the sales tax to fund natural resource
management in Minnesota?
3. What is your position
on the proposed legislation that would allow initiative and referendum
in Minnesota using the petition process without first being approved
by the legislature?
4. Bonding bills in the
past have been supportive of major natural resource programs. During
the past bonding cycle, the R.I.M. Critical Habitat Match, R.I.M.
Reserve, and other bondable fish and wildlife programs received
very little support, and some that passed were vetoed. How would
you aggressively increase bonding for fish and wildlife resources?
5. In FY01, and again
in FY02 and FY03 the legislature appropriated lottery-in-lieu funds
to the Heritage Enhancement account in the Game and Fish Fund. This
was used to fund a variety of habitat and program management activities
such as technical assistance to landowners for farm bill implementation
and wildlife management area acquisition and improvements. Theses
funds should be in the DNR base budget. Would you support establishing
"Lottery-In-Lieu" funds as part of the DNR's base funding to continue
this type of management?
Senate Candidate Questions:
1. State agencies are
being requested to plan for 10-15 percent budget reductions to address
budget shortfalls. This includes the DNR Divisions of Fisheries
and Wildlife, which are funded almost exclusively by dedicated funds
from fishing and hunting licenses and federal aid reimbursement.
Do you support or oppose the use of these dedicated funds to address
the budget shortfall?
2. There has recently
been proposed legislation to restrict trapping on National Wildlife
Refuges. Do you support such action? If so, would you favor extending
that restriction and/or similar hunting and fishing restrictions
to Federal Forest Service or other public lands?
3. State of Minnesota
will be submitting for additional funding for conservation reserve
enhancement programs for the Red River and the Mississippi River.
This Federal program provides $4 for every $1 from the State. Would
you support these CREP initiatives for Minnesota and make funding
for the State match a priority conservation effort?
4. A Youth Waterfowl
Hunting Day is authorized by Federal regulations and participating
states. Would you be willing to support or introduce legislation
that would expand youth hunting and fishing opportunities?
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