4Fighter
TY 4 Stroke God
I just heard that those grooming operations crippled by the lack of funding this season, should be able to resume Dec. 21. This from Rep. Gary McDowell's office (Dem. Rudyard - U.P.)
I have yet to be out, but word is the trails are getting bad around these parts.
I have yet to be out, but word is the trails are getting bad around these parts.
ndc821
Extreme
Lack of funding???
They have been grooming in the northern LP for 3 weeks and even down in the thumb has been grooming for a week.
Lack of funding??? The DNR just reported a $10MILLION budget surplus!!! Dont let those Dem's fool you! The Grant Contract for grooming was finalized and accepted on the 4th of December, if they are not grooming something is really wrong! They are going to kill the local business owners! I am fed up with the state of michigan and all this political crap! Snowmobiling is Michigan's #1 Tourist attraction but people will not come to here to ride if we provide junk trails. In the end it is the citizens in northern MI who rely on the winter income to survive that suffer. Read the article below and then talk to your local Rep's office again and ask what the heck is going on!?!?!?!?!? If that doesnt get you anywhere contact MSA.
A link wont work so here is a copy of the article in The Oakland Press on Dec 13, 2007:
Michigan DNR says it has more money than expected
Associated Press
LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- It turns out the state Department of Natural Resources doesn't need to increase hunting and fishing license fees this budget year.
Advertisement
DNR Director Rebecca Humphries told lawmakers this week that the Game and Fish Fund will have a $10 million fund balance because of an unexpected increase in license sales, operational savings and higher-than-expected returns on investments.
The department had warned of layoffs and other cuts if fees weren't increased this year. Humphries said fee hikes still are needed in the 2008-09 fiscal year because of expected funding shortfalls.
Some Republicans legislators were upset, feeling DNR officials had exaggerated their need for extra revenue.
Humphries' announcement followed Gov. Jennifer Granholm's administration telling House members last week that she supported avoiding fee increases this budget year. And House Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources Chairman Joel Sheltrown, D-West Branch, said he had a deal to use $5 million in Michigan Business Tax revenue to avoid the fee hikes.
Legislators leery of raising fees so soon after approving general tax increases in the fall have until Jan. 15 to raise the fees, make spending cuts or find an alternative funding source.
Under legislation proposed but not voted on, the cost of a firearm or archery deer license would have doubled from $15 to $30 for Michigan residents over the next four years and quickly risen from $138 to $165 for out-of-state hunters. A 24-hour fishing license for in-state residents would have increased from $7 to $15 by 2011 and from $150 to $300 for nonresidents.
They have been grooming in the northern LP for 3 weeks and even down in the thumb has been grooming for a week.
Lack of funding??? The DNR just reported a $10MILLION budget surplus!!! Dont let those Dem's fool you! The Grant Contract for grooming was finalized and accepted on the 4th of December, if they are not grooming something is really wrong! They are going to kill the local business owners! I am fed up with the state of michigan and all this political crap! Snowmobiling is Michigan's #1 Tourist attraction but people will not come to here to ride if we provide junk trails. In the end it is the citizens in northern MI who rely on the winter income to survive that suffer. Read the article below and then talk to your local Rep's office again and ask what the heck is going on!?!?!?!?!? If that doesnt get you anywhere contact MSA.
A link wont work so here is a copy of the article in The Oakland Press on Dec 13, 2007:
Michigan DNR says it has more money than expected
Associated Press
LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- It turns out the state Department of Natural Resources doesn't need to increase hunting and fishing license fees this budget year.
Advertisement
DNR Director Rebecca Humphries told lawmakers this week that the Game and Fish Fund will have a $10 million fund balance because of an unexpected increase in license sales, operational savings and higher-than-expected returns on investments.
The department had warned of layoffs and other cuts if fees weren't increased this year. Humphries said fee hikes still are needed in the 2008-09 fiscal year because of expected funding shortfalls.
Some Republicans legislators were upset, feeling DNR officials had exaggerated their need for extra revenue.
Humphries' announcement followed Gov. Jennifer Granholm's administration telling House members last week that she supported avoiding fee increases this budget year. And House Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources Chairman Joel Sheltrown, D-West Branch, said he had a deal to use $5 million in Michigan Business Tax revenue to avoid the fee hikes.
Legislators leery of raising fees so soon after approving general tax increases in the fall have until Jan. 15 to raise the fees, make spending cuts or find an alternative funding source.
Under legislation proposed but not voted on, the cost of a firearm or archery deer license would have doubled from $15 to $30 for Michigan residents over the next four years and quickly risen from $138 to $165 for out-of-state hunters. A 24-hour fishing license for in-state residents would have increased from $7 to $15 by 2011 and from $150 to $300 for nonresidents.
