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OHV Gas tax $$ Grab to put OHV Parks at Risk

We got screwed. By trialgal on SBR http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=121897&p=1713600#post1713600 :

Well, all the efforts expended over the last few days achieved little today. The Assembly Subcommittee voted in favor of taking the OHV Trust Fund money, even the two Democrats on the committee we thought were vulnerable went along with the proposal without saying anything. Seeing government in action is at times frustrating, and confusing.

But these actions make the need for a lawsuit more critical, and necessary. That's the only halfway justification that could be derived from any of this.

People are putting together next steps, which will probably target the Governor. We've done it before when Daphne's appointment was terminated, and we can work together again.

I'm going to ask all of you who signed on the letter we wrote to the Governor to sign again on a letter that will be developed.

But more than that, we need anyone with a connection to a Board of Supervisors, a motorcycle dealership, anything that benefits from the grants program, put together those numbers.

It's obvious that we don't have the political pushback to stop these takings. For right now, we only have the power of the people. And that power can be immense, we just have to wield it. That takes everyone doing smart things that can make a difference.

BTW, Brian Jones spoke very well, and eloquently about saving the OHV Trust Fund. If you are in his district, or know someone in his district, please say thanks for all of us.

Crediting Bruce Whitcher, he said a long time ago these battles for OHV were going to be won by the power of the people. He's right, maybe we should protest, maybe put together a petition, contact the media, I am not sure. Voting Simitian out of political office would be a great first step.
 
Sucks.... Sucks. :facepalm

Time to turn up the heat.
 
:mad

I spent the morning drafting emails to MY representatives letting them know why I will never vote for them again.
 
Damn it. Keep us updated, I hate to see valuable and self-supporting public resources like this get robbed. :mad
 
good stuff by dirtflea on SBR:

Here is a good list of who to contact regarding the take of OHV Grant Funding.

http://www.legislature.ca.gov/the_st...eadership.html

The Simitian proposal (Sustainable State Parks) has not yet gone to the full Senate or Assembly for a vote nor has it gone to the Governor. Now is the time to let everyone know that we are displeased with the proposal and we will vote in the elections based on the actions of the legislature. Also mention that you do not like the idea of fuel taxes paid for in your county going to "parks" outside of your district.

Diverting funding from the fuel tax fund to parks that do not provide motorized recreation is outside of the original scope and intent of "fuel" taxes and is contrary to Article 19 of the State Constitution.

Deputy Director Ruth Coleman of State Parks stated during the Senate Budget Committee meeting that the $10 million dollars that was "taken" last year for "State Parks" was never received and she was not convinced that State Parks would see any of the money this time.

Time is of the essence, please write letters, send faxes and emails today, make calls next week.
 
From AMA Action Alert

Here is one we need to keep pushing on!!!


1. Sacramento, Calif.: A proposal by Senator Joe Simitian that slashes the off-highway OHV grant program funding level was passed by the California State Assembly Budget Subcommittee #3 on May 31. If adopted as passed by the subcommittee, more than half of the funding for the U.S. Forest Service, BLM, and many local county OHV parks will be slashed from the state’s grants program due to a lack of funds.
While the proposal made by Senator Simitian is purportedly only to be in effect for the next three years, history has shown that, just like OHV areas, once funding is lost it never returns. Case in point: the state’s record on repaying loans from the OHV program. The OHV Commission’s own 2011 report shows that over $160,000,000 previously borrowed from the OHV Trust Fund is still awaiting repayment.
Riders are encouraged to contact their representatives immediately!

http://capwiz.com/amacycle/issues/alert/?alertid=61398686&type=ST&show_alert=1

Takes less than five minutes!!!

And San Benito County sent a letter to the Governor opposing the $$ grab.
That is attached.


And now more good news for the Military wants some OHV land too...

2. San Bernardino, Calif.: County Supervisors Brad Mitzelfelt and Neil Derry recently sent letters to members of Congress and the Obama Administration endorsing a plan to retain full public access to the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle recreation area while allowing periodic military training in Johnson Valley as desired by the neighboring Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California.

The Supervisors oppose the option recommended by the Department of Defense, which would remove most of the lands in the recreation area from Bureau of Land Management (BLM) holdings and add them within the military base's boundaries. They instead endorsed an alternative proposed by stakeholder groups that would keep Johnson Valley under the jurisdiction of the BLM, while allowing the Marines to conduct their training for roughly two months a year under a permit system.

The letter was sent to U.S. Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. It was copied to House and Senate members on relevant committees, and to other top Administration officials, including the Secretary of the Navy.
Source and full story: http://www.sbcounty.gov/Mitzelfelt/viewer/attachment.ashx?ID=1131fa0a-5ff1-4c73-b566-5af9add023cb

Hell attacked from multiple fronts. Now the Military too.. :(
 

Attachments

  • San Benito Letter on OHV Funds to State Parks.pdf
    49 KB · Views: 66
Simitian was on NPR today. I did not hear but I am told he said he was only stealing one sixth of our funding.
 
Dude is a politician who says whatever gets him ahead, despite the truth...

http://www.kqed.org/a/forum/R201206141000

I'm listening now. The simian Simitian is a liar. Ruth Colman is slick.

Caller 2 is Pat who is quite articulate and objects to the OHV fund grab. Simitian responds with twisted facts.

The program is amazing with how Ruth Coleman and Joe Simitian misrepresnet the truth with obfuscation. Assholes.
 
I am so disgusted with the entire system we have in this state and fed gubmint.

These funds have been put aside strictly for the use of OHV. Countless years we have paid into this fund through our OHV Registrations and gas taxes.

I am not defeated but I am convinced that Komifornia is lost. I blame it on all the voters and the complacency of the percentage of our community. This may seem harsh, but it is how I feel.

This is just out and out thievery by a out of touch legislation and propelled by special interest. The state has no self control or the balls to cut spending so they steal it from systems that are self maintained.

This is a trust! is there not laws that restrict these basturds from touching a trust?
 
How can you blame the voters when these politicians lie to your face?

FWIW, I have coffee now and then with Jared Huffman's former aide. In all our conversations Jared Huffman has always come off as OHV positive. Our district has a lot of open land and it appeared as though Assemblyman Huffman understood our needs.

Luckily I didn't vote by mail and had time to NOT VOTE for the liar.
 
How can you blame the voters when these politicians lie to your face?

FWIW, I have coffee now and then with Jared Huffman's former aide. In all our conversations Jared Huffman has always come off as OHV positive. Our district has a lot of open land and it appeared as though Assemblyman Huffman understood our needs.

Luckily I didn't vote by mail and had time to NOT VOTE for the liar.

Its easy
It is the voters who have been putting these lying stinking filthy theives back into office over and over again.

It is the Voters (Especially in our own community) for being complaincent and not understanding the Enviro-Nazi endorsments many of these thieves have.

I blame the voters very easy as especially in the state of Komifornia people are more concerned if 12 year olds get condums or abortions then how boxer alone has systimaticly used the 1964 Wilderness act to close public lands

I could go on.
 
The Governor softens the grab

JB reduced the bite to a one time 7M take.

Better than 21 and one time is good too.

Thanks at least for that Jerry.

Thanks to all the members that wrote and called. I am sure that helped a bunch.
 

Attachments

  • Governor SB_1018_Line_Item_Veto1.pdf
    187.4 KB · Views: 138
It's still a hit but at least JB does listen.
 
I just want to say I am proud of our community that contacts their government representatives and lets them know what we need, and we vote.

We still need to crush Simitian.

You guys rock.
 
He is at the farmers market in Palo Alto today Butch.

Bring or buy some vegetables.
 
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