CALIFORNIA - Calls/Emails needed now for Assembly Hearing tomorrow !!!!
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BRC CA ACTION ALERT - Calls/Emails needed today for Assembly Budget Hearing Tomorrow!!!
Call Assemblymembers right now to oppose 50% reduction in OHV Grants Program
Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber
BRC wants to join CAL4WD, OHMVR Commissioner, Eric Leuder, and other OHV groups in alerting motorized recreationists about a proposal made by Senator Joe Simitian, which slashes OHV grant funding by 50%, is being considered by the State Assembly this Thursday, May 31st. If this proposal is adopted, more than half of the funding for the US Forest Service, BLM, and many County Parks will be redirected away from the state’s OHV Program.
This is NOT A LOAN, BUT A TAKING of money which will never be repaid.
You must act IMMEDIATELY in order to make a difference. Call your local state representatives, members of the Assembly Budget Committee, the Governor’s office now.
Call your local news outlets to let them know that this misuse of OHV funding is not acceptable and not appropriate. Unchallenged, this taking will lead to massive closures of USFS, BLM, and County OHV Park lands, public lands.
The funding being taken is taxes paid on gasoline used by OHV recreationists and should be used to maintain OHV recreation opportunities. The OHV community has always paid its own fair share. The OHV program has never depended on General Tax Funds or Park Bond Acts. How is it right to redirect funds collected for OHV recreation and use them for ANY PURPOSE OTHER THAN SUPPORT OF OHV RECREATION!?
1. Let them know that YOU VOTE and this misuse of OHV funding is not acceptable and not appropriate. Any threat to OHV funds will affect YOUR vote next Tuesday.
2. Ask them why does it take a total of $41M to fix a $22M shortfall in the State Parks budget? The math doesn't work and our $21M in OHV funding is not needed to keep State Parks open. Other funds are available.
3. Tell them that the OHV program is paid for by OHV recreationalists and we have never used or asked for any general fund money.
4. Tell them that the closure of OHV areas will impact the local economy in their district, cause a loss of jobs, cause an increase in unmanaged use of public lands and reduce recreational opportunities for their constituents.
5. Urge them to vote NO on the taking of OHV funds tomorrow.
Finally, the proposal made by Senator Simitian is supposedly only to be in effect for three years. Really! Check the state’s record on repaying loans from the OHV program…it just never happens. The OHMVR Commission’s 2011 report (available for viewing at ohv.parks.ca.gov) on page 9 shows over $160,000,000 borrowed from the OHV Trust Fund. None has ever been paid back!
Stand up now. Let your voice be heard. The OHV Grants Program is vital to continued availability of OHV opportunities in California.
Again, BRC urges you to not only contact the committee members below but to contact your own state legislators and the Governor.
Link to Sub 3 Resources and Transportation Committee Members
Committees - Assemblymember Richard S. Gordon Representing the 21st California Assembly District - AD21
Assemblymember.gordon@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember.Butler@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember.huffman@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember.jones@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember.valadao@assembly.ca.gov
Cal4WD Link to you own state representatives and Governor’s Office (just type in your zip code)
cal4wheel -- OHV grant program being slashed by more than 50%!!
Thanks for taking time from your busy schedule to fight back against this proposed gutting of the CA OHV Program. I hope to see many of you at the hearing tomorrow.
Don Amador
Western Representative
BlueRibbon Coalition, Inc.
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BRC CA ACTION ALERT - Calls/Emails needed today for Assembly Budget Hearing Tomorrow!!!
Call Assemblymembers right now to oppose 50% reduction in OHV Grants Program
Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber
BRC wants to join CAL4WD, OHMVR Commissioner, Eric Leuder, and other OHV groups in alerting motorized recreationists about a proposal made by Senator Joe Simitian, which slashes OHV grant funding by 50%, is being considered by the State Assembly this Thursday, May 31st. If this proposal is adopted, more than half of the funding for the US Forest Service, BLM, and many County Parks will be redirected away from the state’s OHV Program.
This is NOT A LOAN, BUT A TAKING of money which will never be repaid.
You must act IMMEDIATELY in order to make a difference. Call your local state representatives, members of the Assembly Budget Committee, the Governor’s office now.
Call your local news outlets to let them know that this misuse of OHV funding is not acceptable and not appropriate. Unchallenged, this taking will lead to massive closures of USFS, BLM, and County OHV Park lands, public lands.
The funding being taken is taxes paid on gasoline used by OHV recreationists and should be used to maintain OHV recreation opportunities. The OHV community has always paid its own fair share. The OHV program has never depended on General Tax Funds or Park Bond Acts. How is it right to redirect funds collected for OHV recreation and use them for ANY PURPOSE OTHER THAN SUPPORT OF OHV RECREATION!?
1. Let them know that YOU VOTE and this misuse of OHV funding is not acceptable and not appropriate. Any threat to OHV funds will affect YOUR vote next Tuesday.
2. Ask them why does it take a total of $41M to fix a $22M shortfall in the State Parks budget? The math doesn't work and our $21M in OHV funding is not needed to keep State Parks open. Other funds are available.
3. Tell them that the OHV program is paid for by OHV recreationalists and we have never used or asked for any general fund money.
4. Tell them that the closure of OHV areas will impact the local economy in their district, cause a loss of jobs, cause an increase in unmanaged use of public lands and reduce recreational opportunities for their constituents.
5. Urge them to vote NO on the taking of OHV funds tomorrow.
Finally, the proposal made by Senator Simitian is supposedly only to be in effect for three years. Really! Check the state’s record on repaying loans from the OHV program…it just never happens. The OHMVR Commission’s 2011 report (available for viewing at ohv.parks.ca.gov) on page 9 shows over $160,000,000 borrowed from the OHV Trust Fund. None has ever been paid back!
Stand up now. Let your voice be heard. The OHV Grants Program is vital to continued availability of OHV opportunities in California.
Again, BRC urges you to not only contact the committee members below but to contact your own state legislators and the Governor.
Link to Sub 3 Resources and Transportation Committee Members
Committees - Assemblymember Richard S. Gordon Representing the 21st California Assembly District - AD21
Assemblymember.gordon@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember.Butler@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember.huffman@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember.jones@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember.valadao@assembly.ca.gov
Cal4WD Link to you own state representatives and Governor’s Office (just type in your zip code)
cal4wheel -- OHV grant program being slashed by more than 50%!!
Thanks for taking time from your busy schedule to fight back against this proposed gutting of the CA OHV Program. I hope to see many of you at the hearing tomorrow.
Don Amador
Western Representative
BlueRibbon Coalition, Inc.
