ALERT - HB 1214 moving - Calls & Emails Needed ASAP!

[larrymeyer]

From: PA Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs
Date: 09/22/08 20:27:00
To: PFSC
Subject: ALERT - HB 1214 moving - Calls & Emails Needed ASAP!


Call to action: Calls and emails needed ASAP!

Sen Armstrong has called a meeting of the Appropriations Committee Tuesday, to move HB 1214 By Surra. Amends Title 34 (Game) further providing for organization of the PA Game Commission. - Meeting set for Off the Floor, Rules Room SAC 09/23/08

I've attached a copy of the email PFSC sent to the Senators. HB 1214 will change the terms of our wildlife commissioners and give the legislature and governors more control of wildlife management.

Wildlife management should not reflect the priorities and policies of the legislature and governor. It should reflect the priorities and policies of sound, science-based wildlife management. Social aspects of wildlife management should always be a concern and the PGC does take this into sincere consideration. However, it should not be the driving force behind wildlife management. The PGC was formed as an independent agency for a reason, that being to manage our Commonwealth’s 467 species of wildlife free of influence from the administration and the legislature.

If you think this legislation is a good thing, then you need to take a good, hard look to the other shore of the Delaware River and see what happens when a governor and legislators get involved in deciding what can and can’t be hunted. Google NJ Bear hunt and see what you find. Unless you want to see hunting ended with the drop of a gavel, I urge you to contact your Senators and ask them to vote NO on HB 1214.

Please contact the members of the Appropriations Committee, and be sure to include Sen Scarnati and your own Senator in your email.

Please keep it brief, don't go into other issues, just tell them that you understand the Appropriations Committee will be voting HB 1214, and you urge them to vote against moving this bill out of Committee or on the Senate floor.

Here are there email addresses for the Appropriations Committee members and Sen. Scarnati.

jscarnati@pasen.gov; dpileggi@pasen.gov; garmstrong@pasen.gov; rtomlinson@pasen.gov; pbrowne@pasen.gov; jcorman@pasen.gov; sgreenleaf@pasen.gov; jgordner@pasen.gov; rmadigan@pasen.gov; jpippy@pasen.gov; jrafferty@pasen.gov; bregola@pasen.gov; jrhoades@pasen.gov; info@pfsc.org; pvance@pasen.gov; mwaugh@pasen.gov; mwhite@pasen.gov; lavalle@pasenate.com; boscola@pasenate.com; senator_fumo@fumo.com; logan@pasenate.com; musto@pasenate.com; stack@pasenate.com; stout@pasenate.com; tartaglione@pasenate.com; wozniak@pasenate.com

You can find your senator at: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/


MEMO

Dear Senators,

We've just received word that Senator Armstrong plans to move HB 1214 out of the Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, September 23rd.

The Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs has serious concerns with HB 1214, and we respectfully ask that you please vote no on this bill should it come before you.

Many feel that this bill is a masked attempt to acquire more political control of wildlife management and the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC). It may not seem like a big deal now, having a majority of pro-hunting legislators, and a governor who supports hunting, but what happens if we get an anti-hunting governor who now has the power to appoint all 8 members of the commission during his term? We could be opening the door for future appointments of anti-hunting commissioners, or even worse, a stalemate of no appointments that would thus cripple the agencies ability to function.

For many, this is being viewed as an attempt to punish the PGC. The end result will affect our sportsmen and women and our wildlife, and if punishment or more control is the goal, it will be sportsmen and wildlife that will suffer in the long term. Commissioners for the PGC should be able to perform their duties free from political and emotional influence, and in the best interest of the wildlife and citizens of the Commonwealth. Changes to the current process will jeopardize the ability of the Commissioners to make sound decisions based on science and what's best for the resources.

Benefits of an 8 year BOC term vs. 4 year


The members bring together a range of experience of matters relating to their appointments within their respective Commission, be it the Pennsylvania Game Commission or the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.



The views of the public will be brought to bear on the process and the Commission will benefit from a full appreciation of the issues affecting the game and fish regulations today with an 8 year term limit. This will serve to enhance public confidence in the independence of the selection system.



The Governor would have more control over issues with the shorter term limits as shown in New Jersey.
The members that have been appointed are drawn from all sections of the Pennsylvania sportsman, fishermen, and conservation community. They will exercise their powers without fear or favor associated with longer term limits. They do not represent any particular part of the population.

The Commissioners' appointment demonstrates the real and tangible commitment of the PGC and the PA F&BC to the implementation of season length, allocations and all other wildlife and fisheries related issues of Pennsylvania citizens and its wildlife and fisheries resources.

They are committed to maintaining the independence of the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission system to serve all the people of Pennsylvania, and appointments are based on merit.

The ability, independence, and probity of the Commission are its greatest strengths. So, to give our communities the Commission they deserve, we must encourage all talented people to apply, and put them through a fair, rigorous, and open appointment procedure. This may not be possible with shorter term lengths.

The present system of appointing Commissioners has worked well; however; the conformation process is long and would create lame duck terms within the Commissions in a relatively short timeframe.

With longer terms, members of the Commission bring a wealth of experience to the Commissions and have a greater understanding of the biological, social and political aspects with regard to the species they are charged to manage.

They all make key contributions to the scope of work of the independent Commissions and have a better understanding of issues at hand with a longer term.


Please VOTE NO on HB 1214.
Thank you for your time and consideration of our issues.

Melody Zullinger, Executive Director
PA Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs
2426 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
717-232-3480

[Shawn.L]

E-mail sent to all.

Cut and paste all the addys together is very usefull.

[5711-Marine]

Emailed my senator.