The Coming Crossroads

[Outdoor Talk Network by Jim Slinsky]
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The Coming Crossroads ©

By Jim Slinsky
10/11/08

Things are a little tentative in Harrisburg right now. Many legislators are deeply concerned about their reelection bids. We see this at the national level and across the entire political landscape. The public is spitting mad. The public is accusing our legislators of serving themselves before they serve the people. The public is sick and tired of increasing taxes, laws that violate their constitutional rights and agencies that act upon the best interests of special interests and ignore the wishes of the silent majority. It is potentially one of those “throw the bums out” election years. This conundrum has our politicians scrambling.

In our little world of the outdoors there is a crossroad issue, House Bill 1214, which fits perfectly into this scenario and embodies the frustrations of our voting, sporting class. This little gem was sponsored by SR Dan Surra from the St. Mary’s area, which is void of deer and harbors some of the most passionate anti-PGC sentiment in the Commonwealth. Actually, that is not totally accurate; the homeboys across the state are extremely frustrated and eager to pull the trigger or shall we say in this case, the lever (voting).

House Bill 1214 simply changes the terms of PGC Commissioners to two (2), four-year terms rather than one, eight-year term. To serve the second four-year term will require Senate reconfirmation. Some have begun to call this requirement a “performance review”. Actually, our sporting class will begin to scream in the third year if a Commissioner has not voted sensibly. If he or she has made fair and balanced decisions, a second term will be a shoe-in. If not, their four years of fame will be over.

HB 1214 passed the House by a margin of 201 to 0. Obviously, that is a powerful statement and tells you exactly which side of this issue our state reps come down on. Our House of Representatives want a more responsive and responsible Board of PGC Commissioners, too.

Once again, the obstacle of reform is the PA Senate. HB 1214 did pass the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee (SGFC) unanimously, but somewhat begrudgingly. I can think of three Senators who are working against this bill, but I will withhold their names for the moment.

After SGFC passage, this bill was parked in the Appropriations Committee for months. It was to come of the Appropriations Committee on September 23, but it was blocked by one Senator. It is now scheduled to come out of Committee on October 6 with a full Senate vote by October 8. If this opportunity is blocked again, the bill is dead for this year and will need to be reintroduced in January, 2009. The political maneuvering in Harrisburg is currently fast and furious. With an election only weeks away, the stakes are also quite high.

Senator Joe Scarnati can put an end to this nonsense. As Senate Pro Tempore he can make a few phone calls and rattle a few cages. He told me personally he supports the concept and supports the bill. It probably wouldn’t hurt if he heard from you.

The main protagonist in this fight is just a few of our current PGC Commissioners. Unfortunately, the Agency is lobbying on behalf of those few Commissioners through Mr. Steve Smith, the PGC’s so-called Legislative Liaison. Once again, sportsmen’s license revenue is being used to lobby against sportsmen-generated reforms.

We one steps back and views the landscape, HB 1214 is a crossroad issue for our sporting class, our PGC Commissioner system and our PA Senate. Will the Senate begin the process of turning around our draconian Commissioner system by ending the antiquated eight year terms? Does the Senate have the courage to do the right thing in the face of intense lobbying by the PGC? If the bill is blocked again, will our sporting class have the resolve to hold those few Senators accountable on Election Day?

The retiring Senator Gibson Armstrong is the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The fate of the bill is in his hands. He must ignore those few Senators who operate as surrogates for the PGC and get this one on the Senate floor for a vote without further delay.

By the way the PA Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs opposes this progressive legislation. The Unified Sportsmen of PA were the prime movers and shakers on this one.

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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