Alternative Financing or New Bosses?

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Alternative Financing or New Bosses? ©

By Jim Slinsky
05/03/08

A few days ago there was yet another historic meeting in Harrisburg. SR David Levdansky, Chairman of the House Finance Committee wanted to hear input on his HB1676, which dedicates a portion of our sales tax revenue to the PA Game Commission and PA Fish and Boat Commission. This is the Missouri system of public financing for wildlife agencies.

The usuals were called to testify. Melody Zullinger from the PA Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs and Ed Wentzler from the United Bowhunters of PA were invited to voice their always-accommodating opinions. PGC Deputy Director Mike Schmit testified on behalf of the PGC. I guess it has become difficult for Executive Director Carl Rowe to once again delivery this speech. You know, we have 467 species to manage, gas was a $1 a gallon, salaries are going up, etc. Show me a state agency that doesn’t cry for more money and I will show you a taxpayer who cries for higher taxes.

Melody Zullinger really went overboard in her praise for the alternative financing scheme. She submitted letters of support from the National Wild Turkey Federation and Audubon. Apparently, she would like to see our wildlife agencies completely financed by the public. A number of legislators expressed serious concern that this concept will open the door for environmental extremists and anti-hunting groups to demand a seat at the management table. The PGC responded that they are not worried.

Most of us instinctively know accepting general tax dollars from the public to finance wildlife agencies is disaster waiting to happen. We already have a situation that the anti-hunting, anti-gun, environmental extremists are too deeply involved in our management policies and they don’t currently contribute. Accepting their money will surely open the proverbial flood gates. There is really very little to talk about. HB1676 is a bad idea whose time has passed. We have been burned enough to know not to trust anyone and their happy talk.

As a sidebar, I must ask what has happened to SR David Levdansky. He claims to be a hunter and was once a vocal critic of the PGC. In these past few years we have seen him advocate new, repressive gun laws. We have seen him try to send the deer audit in a direction of oblivion. We have watched him work behind the scenes for merger. He has become closer to Audubon than any sportsmen’s group in his district. This one is bewildering.

Interestingly, the Unified Sportsmen of PA was not asked to testify at this historic meeting. The largest, fastest growing sportsmen’s group in the state was omitted from the invitation list. Imagine that? One can only surmise there was fear that Unified would have ruined the party. Maybe not? Unified might have suggested that we look at West Virginia (not Missouri) and their Bureau of Non-Game Wildlife supported exclusively by the public. This scheme would force the PGC to use hunters dollars for hunted species, a novel idea. Maybe, Unified would have suggested we combine Game and Fish law enforcement departments and put them in a separate building with public financing, so we can use sportsmen’s dollars more effectively for sportsmen’s priorities. It would have been interesting meeting if SR Levdansky had the courage to truly seek solutions and not play politics.

In reality, the timing could not be worse for HB 1676. The economy is in a downward trend and our citizens are sick of tax increases. I don’t believe the general public gives a hoot about wildlife or fisheries management. Sportsmen have paid that tab for 100 years. The anti-hunting, environmental extremists are trying to convince everyone the system is broken so they can rearrange the chairs and be seated at the head of the table.

The North American Wildlife Model is the envy of the world. It is the greatest wildlife success story in the history of the planet. Sportsmen paid for the restoration of all wildlife and will continue to do so without a complaint as long as there is game (deer) to hunt.

On the horizon there is an ironic ending to this story. With maybe hundreds of millions in gas deposits below State Game Lands, soon their will be voices screaming the PGC should be financing the state.

When that historic Harrisburg meeting is called, I have a hunch Unified will be at the top of the invitation list.

Jim Slinsky is the host and producer of the “Outdoor Talk Network”, a nationally syndicated, outdoor-talk radio program. For a station near you or to contact Jim, visit his website at www.outdoortalknetwork.com.

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