Special Session - Another raid on NOVA??

[Grumpy]

We were all in a "wait and see mode" waiting word from the Governor's office whether a "special session" would be needed to address the state's budget short-fall. It looks as if the lawmakers will be going back into special session they have until Thursday to let the Governor know which day they would like otherwise she will pick the day and it will be before the Holidays.

With that said - NO program is safe. The Non Highway Off Road Vehicle Activities (NOVA) state's funding grant program could feel the "chopping block" again - and directed to the State General Fund and could be available to cover the shortfall in other departments not even related to outdoor recreation.

Your State Senators and House of Representatives members always welcome your comments on issues that effect your way of life; and/or for those Districts that have experienced new names and faces this past November - they all can be contacted at <www>.

I am sure they are eager to hear from you and how important our NOVA funds are to assure safe outdoor recreation for our families. ###

Arlene Brooks, WA State Director

[iaccocca]

http://nmaoffroad.org/forums/index.php?PHPSESSID=14482a29e3c47aa4e7fe0d1f0099c9d0&topic=356.msg1557#msg1557

Good idea! My letter / emails may have slightly stronger language.

[Grumpy]

Not telling where I got this:


I just had a conversation with Mark Mauren about this last night. It seems we will get no guarantees written or otherwise as they can't hold up their end. The only thing we can do is vote the politicians out who steal our money and hope the new replacements understand why we voted them in. Mark did say however that we (end users) made enough of a stink about loosing the NOVA funds on the last go around that he doesn't think they will be taken again.

[Grumpy]

WASHINGTON - Tell The State Legislature Again: Hands off our ORV Fund!December 9th, 2010

BLUERIBBON COALITION PARTNER ACTION ALERT!

Tell The Washington State Legislature Again: Hands off our ORV Fund!

Dear BRC members, supporters and action alert subscribers,

Our partners in Washington State have just forwarded us information on an important issue that needs IMMEDIATE ACTION.

Tod Petersen, Political Action Committee Chairman for the Washington Off-Highway Vehicle Alliance (WOHVA), just emailed with word that with another budget crisis just on the horizon, your Nonhighway and Offroad Vehicle Activities (NOVA) funds are in danger again.

Tod is asking us to alert all BRC members in Washington State and ask that you contact the Governor as well as your State Senator and both your State House of Representatives and tell them NOT to rob the NOVA account again.

I've pasted their alert below, so please take a minute to read it over and take action. Then, pass this important alert on to your friends and family, and please ask them take action as well.

Thanks in advance for your involvement,
Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 107

PS: Plan on attending the WOHVA OHV Rally in February 2011 to show your support for motorized off-road recreation.

You can download a copy of the flyer here and more information is available on WOHVA website.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Washington State ORV funds under attack again

In 2009 the Washington State Legislature passed legislation to divert all of the offroad vehicle gas tax and ORV permits funds (Nonhighway and Offroad Vehicle Activities account) and gave them to State Parks for 2009 and 2010. None of this money was spent to benefit ORV users.

Now with another budget crisis right around the corner and the Legislature returning to session soon, State Parks has been instructed to propose a budget with no state general fund allocation. To do that State Parks have said that they must have all of your Nonhighway and Offroad Vehicle Account (NOVA) money permanently.

It is very important to let Governor and your Legislators know that it is not OK to rip you off again.

You can contact the Governor via this link: http://www.governor.wa.gov/contact/default.asp

You can find and contact your State Senator and both you State House of Representatives member via this link: http://www.leg.wa.gov/pages/home.aspx


Here are some example comments to consider. Use them as is or, better yet put the same idea in your own words.

++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please DO NOT redistribute funds intended for the Non Highway and Offroad Vehicle Activities account AGAIN!

In 2009 the legislature took all of these funds and gave them to State Parks where none of those funds benefited offroad vehicle recreation in any way.

This account was created when offroad vehicle users volunteered to waive their legal right to a fuel tax refund in exchange for a self-directed state account to provide funding for programs that benefited offroad vehicle activities.

These same citizens volunteered to have their license tab fees increased so long as those monies were also placed in the Non Highway and Offroad Vehicle Activities (NOVA) account.

To redirect the funding away from the NOVA account again would be nothing short of stealing from the very same citizens that willingly gave the state their hard earned money.

++++++++++++++++++++++++


Tod Petersen
Political Action Committee Chairman
Washington Off Highway Vehicle Alliance
Email: tod701@aol.com

[Grumpy]

Sent to the Governess:


I would like to respectfully request that, during your current budget negotiations with the legislature, any attempt to use NOVA funds for any purpose other that originally intended be stopped! The loss of these funds has seriously hurt DNR's ability to do it's job regarding recreation issues on it's land. And, while I agree that DNR may need to implement a user fee to help take up some slack, I am absolutely against a per person fee! Please help DNR do it's job be restoring the NOVA account!

Regards,

Dave Walters
Tri Cities Peak Putters 4x4 Club
Land Use Coordinator
Kennewick, WA

[SPR]

I heard my grandma Booth say,â€

[oddball]

I sent a couple of angry feathers. Maybe she'll choke on them.

[Grumpy]

Sounds like we dodged a bullit for now. More later...