The state voted and passed a bill to allocate a portion of a sales tax increase to DNR funding. The RESIDENTS of Iowa have spoken on this and regardless if you agreed with it, that was what presented and that is what passed. There was no back door bill in some subcommittee that most people would have never heard about to get it passed. It was communicated, both pros and cons (you can disagree on that if you would like), as to what it would mean to the state and it still passed. At some level, the people have committed to the future of its Natural Resources.
So where is the DNR at in pushing this? Why have I heard nothing about this since it passed? If they are so hard up for money that is where I would be spending my time, getting a sales tax increase.
Finally something is out there that would secure long term funding and wouldnt be at the expense of the quality of hunting. I have such a distrust for the DNR anymore it makes me sick. They should be our greatest ally and it seems like lately they have become the enemy. All I hear is the things they want to take away from residents. Get rid of baiting, cut the deer herd to numbers most hunters are not happy with, increase NR tags, ect. Yes I know some of these things are suppose to be for our benefit and for the quality of the herd, but the timing doesnt make it seem that way and not everyone is sold on it. They preach about maintaining the balance between the different groups of people (NRLO, Farm Bureau, Special Interest lobbyists) . Why? They are suppose to represent Iowa hunters and Iowa residents enjoying the resources this state has, thats it. Thats what they should be fighting for. They should not be looking for a compromise if it comes at the expense of its own people. Times are tough, but if the DNR was truly worried about itself and the purpose they are suppose to serve, it seems to me this is what they would be going after.
This has been something on my mind for awhile and with all the talk about these proposed bills lately, this is something that offers a real solution for the DNR. Maybe the emails to legislators should be pushing this, not being on the defensive to save what we already have. Maybe its time we pony up and bite the bullet. I think if the DNR wasnt backed into a corner over money they might be able to step out and support more of the issues that deep down I think they know are right. It wouldnt be an easy sell but maybe with the current governor it would have a chance. There is alot of momentum out there right now to make tough choices, maybe the timing is right for something like this? This is not a NR or DNR bash post, this is a post supporting this state and trying to spark some discussion on what our end game should be. The way things are heading right now, I dont see this ending well for the Iowa RESIDENT.
So where is the DNR at in pushing this? Why have I heard nothing about this since it passed? If they are so hard up for money that is where I would be spending my time, getting a sales tax increase.
Finally something is out there that would secure long term funding and wouldnt be at the expense of the quality of hunting. I have such a distrust for the DNR anymore it makes me sick. They should be our greatest ally and it seems like lately they have become the enemy. All I hear is the things they want to take away from residents. Get rid of baiting, cut the deer herd to numbers most hunters are not happy with, increase NR tags, ect. Yes I know some of these things are suppose to be for our benefit and for the quality of the herd, but the timing doesnt make it seem that way and not everyone is sold on it. They preach about maintaining the balance between the different groups of people (NRLO, Farm Bureau, Special Interest lobbyists) . Why? They are suppose to represent Iowa hunters and Iowa residents enjoying the resources this state has, thats it. Thats what they should be fighting for. They should not be looking for a compromise if it comes at the expense of its own people. Times are tough, but if the DNR was truly worried about itself and the purpose they are suppose to serve, it seems to me this is what they would be going after.
This has been something on my mind for awhile and with all the talk about these proposed bills lately, this is something that offers a real solution for the DNR. Maybe the emails to legislators should be pushing this, not being on the defensive to save what we already have. Maybe its time we pony up and bite the bullet. I think if the DNR wasnt backed into a corner over money they might be able to step out and support more of the issues that deep down I think they know are right. It wouldnt be an easy sell but maybe with the current governor it would have a chance. There is alot of momentum out there right now to make tough choices, maybe the timing is right for something like this? This is not a NR or DNR bash post, this is a post supporting this state and trying to spark some discussion on what our end game should be. The way things are heading right now, I dont see this ending well for the Iowa RESIDENT.
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