Legislative Update 10
I was able to attend the hearing for SB 5669 today and I couldn't have been more proud to be associated with all of my recreational angling brothers and sisters. We showed up in big numbers, big enough in fact that we couldn't fit everyone in the room and many had to wait in the hallway. Everyone that testified had well thought out points that were made very respectfully and those that didn't testify were seen and signed in to oppose this bill as written. Way to go people!!
This was 20 minutes before the hearing and it was already packed.
As proud as I was of our side, I was disgusted when the commercial lobbyist Ed Owen felt the need to arrogantly proclaim that the people he repesented weren't great in numbers but had a lot of money.
Moving forward, Senator Ranker has called for a stakeholders meeting to discuss SB 5669 further. This meeting will take place this Monday the 14th at 5:30 in Hearing Room #2. I know this is Valentines Day but if you can make it, we need everyone there that can be. The house will have a hearing as well at some point, stay tuned to The Outdoor Line for more on that.
In my last blog, I talked about the coming HB 1717 which addresses the need to make mandatory lost gillnet reporting. The senate version of this bill, SB 5661, will be heard on Monday the 14th at 1:30 in the afternooon. The hearing will be held in the Senate Natural Resources Committee, Hearing Room #2. We need everyone that can be there. If you can't be there, and I hope you can, then please take a moment to email your senator, representative and the governor. Tell them to support these bills and make reporting of lost nets mandatory.
On the cigar front, I was able to attend and testify the hearing for HB 1683 this morning as well. I felt it was well recieved by the committee and hopefully this is the first step to adults in America being able to enjoy a legal product and share that pleasure with like minded people. The lat word I got was that the senate will hear their version of the bill on Thursday the 17th. See you there.
Nicely done gentlemen, for far too long sportsmen have spent way too much time bickering between ourselves to accomplish anything. It's very refreshing to see a consolidated effort to preserve what is rightfully ours. Keep up the good work! Sharkey
Here is a copy of the letter I just sent regarding mandatory reporting of nets. Dear Representatives, I am writing to urge you, if given the opportunity, to vote for SB 5661 and HB 1717 changing RCW 77.12.870 and making it mandatory for commercial gillnetters to report lost nets. The current RCW only encourages reporting and unfortunately the commercial and tribal netters do not report lost nets. This change would go a long way in recovery of our endangered rockfish. As one who served on the Puget Sound Rockfish Committee and a father that would love to once again have the opportunity to fish for rockfish with his two sons in Puget Sound waters, I know that there is nothing that would lead to recovery faster than removing these lost nets. These nets continue to kill for decades after they are lost. According to Northwest Straits Commission, there are more than 1,500 remaining derelict nets in Puget Sound, killing more than 800,000 animals annually. These include, fish, birds, shellfish, and marine mammals that drown when tangled in these nets. Also, by theie estimates, 20-30 gillnets are lost annually leading to an even larger number of animals that die unnecessarily every year. As a co-host for The Outdoor Line radio show, I am given the opportunity to publicly speak and write about these issues and would love to be able to count you as one of the legislators in this state that support recreational anglers and the billion dollar industry that recreational angling is in this state. Here is a link to a recent blog written on this subject complete with a few pictures that give some perspective to the damage done by commercial and tribal gillnets: http://blog.theoutdoorline.com/post/2011/01/28/Hold-the-Commercials-Accountable.aspx I thank you for your attention to these matters and I am available for questions you may have. Sincerely, Rob Tobeck
I couldn't agree more with you guys on all of your comments. Let's keep the pressure on!
Thanks for note Rich. I got notes back from Angel and Kilmer saying that they oppose the bill. Hopefully we've got enough votes to kill this thing.
I attended the Public Hearing on SB 5669 on Thursday the 10th of February. It was a packed hearing room such that many had to wait out in the hallway as the capacity of the room was at its maximum, these people "OPPOSE" the consolidation efforts. The meeting came to order and the first group to address the committee chair included the commercial lobbyist Ed Owen felt the need to arrogantly proclaim that the people he represented weren't great in numbers but had a lot of money! The implication of this statement to all those opposed to it simply put is that the commercial lobby is prepared to " BRIBE/BUY " politicians as needed to insure that this legislation is passed benefiting their efforts to take 100% of all available fish stocks in the State of Washington! One can look at the disaster of DSHS after it was consolidated it. The children, abused, beaten & murdered. The shear waste of taxpayer money for a failed program that continues to haunt the politicians to this day. Sen. Sheldon sent a letter assuring me that he would vote " AGAINST " both bills. Rep. Finn is waffling on his vote possibly looking at the "$" of his vote. Rep. Haigh has yet to respond.
It was a rare time when I wasn't testifying, and was just able to listen and watch. The recreational community was professional and measured and did a great job of highlighting important points of consideration. What I don't get is how people elected by us, who are supposed to be serving us seem to think they can ignore us and do what THEY want. The arrogance and audacity of elected politicians who think they can undo Ref. 45 that passed by a bigger majority (61%) than they were elected by absolutely amazes me. The days where we can just fish, and not worry about our fishing opportunity constantly diminishing until there are no more fish are past. I don't fish much any more, but I want to make sure my grandkids get their opportunity. That's why I take a chunk out of my workday to go to Olympia and make sure our voices are heard. Thanks Rob for taking your time, too. This year, we will have to do that many times - there are a list of bills that have chances to reduce both our opportunity to fish, and to limit our access to the Dept.
I received the following response from my Rep Tharinger in response to the CCA model email I sent: Dear Denney, Thank you for contacting my office regarding House Bill 1850, sponsored by Representative Dunshee. This bill has been referred to the House Committee on State Government and Tribal Affairs. Unfortunately, I am not a member of this committee. As you know, the state is facing a record budget shortfall. Agency consolidation is one of many proposed cost saving measures. However, I share your concerns regarding the actual savings of consolidation, as well as compromising the qualifications and focus of staff. I will monitor this proposed merger, and should this legislation reach the floor for a vote, I will take your thoughts into consideration. Again, thank you for taking the time to write my office. I look forward to hearing your ideas on future issues. Sincerely, Steve Representative Steve Tharinger 24th Legislative District Office: (360)786-7904 Toll Free: (800)562-6000 steve.tharinger@leg.wa.gov
A big thanks for attending the meeting. This stuff is so critical to our fishing and hunting opportunity here in Washington. If we consolidate these huge departments and "neuter" the commission us sportsman will get kicked to the curb. We've come too far to have this happen!
Thanks for making this hearing. I'm also very proud of the sportsman and I really wanted to be there but I only have so much vacation time. I decided it would be better spent attending and speaking at the derelict gear hearing on Monday and I hope to see a crowd there as well. As you Nelly and Robbo keep saying, it's time to speak out and speak up. We really can make a difference.
I do like to hammer you at every turn ('cause you started it) but I would like to thank you for attending and speaking at that hearing. It is vital that in Olympia the sportsmen's voices are heard. If we are successful in again defending WDFW, we're quite possibly ushering in a new era of respect and cooperation between the agency and the sportsfishing & hunting public. Thanks again for your efforts!