Save the California Department of Boating & Waterways
Friday, January 23, 2009 12:00:00 AM
Last updated: Friday, January 23, 2009 12:48:00 PM
Contact State Legislators NOW to Stop Your Boater Fees From Being Hijacked!
Unless boaters act now, Cal Boating will be gone in 3 months, the boating advocacy group Recreational Boaters of California warns.
Please take a moment to e-mail your California state representatives: Send them a message to show your support for Cal Boating!
To locate your individual representative, please refer to this Web site: www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html. Please take the time to write to your representative or copy and paste our sample letter below.
Also, due to the fact that many state legislators opt out of disclosing their email addresses, our sample letter can be downloaded here for postal mailing.
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Dear Legislator:
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is submitting a reorganization proposal to the California State Legislature that would eliminate the Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW).
The governor’s plan is set to take effect this spring – UNLESS the California Senate or the Assembly adopts by majority vote a resolution rejecting the plan.
I STRONGLY urge you to reject this wrongheaded plan, which would neither save money nor provide any benefit to California taxpayers. On the contrary: It would negatively affect the state’s more than 3 million boaters and California’s $17 billion per year recreational boating industry.
What does the DBW mean to California boaters?
• DBW receives no General Fund dollars: It is entirely funded by boater fuel tax dollars, boat registration fees and interest payments on infrastructure loans (including those for boating access projects, marina improvements and launch ramp construction).
• DBW has a compact organizational structure and administers boating programs in a timely and non-bureaucratic manner. Its statutory charter is directly boating-related.
• DBW provides accountability, transparency and leadership in its allocation and use of boater-derived taxes and fees, and in providing the best use of these funds for programs benefiting boating.
• California’s more than 3 million boating enthusiasts, who support a $17 billion per year boating industry, must have a dedicated department to represent their interests -- with a director whose primary focus is boating.
• The elimination of DBW will not provide the governor’s projected $600,000 in savings, and would eliminate essential boating programs and services including:
o Maintaining safety on the waterways for more than 3 million boating enthusiasts.
o Ensuring environmental protection for the state’s waterways.
o Stimulating the state’s economy through loans and grants for boating facility
construction – all 100-percent funded by boater-paid fees, at no cost to
taxpayers.
Please reject Gov. Schwarzenegger’s unwarranted effort to destroy a model agency that operates efficiently. The Department of Boating and Waterways provides a valuable service to boaters statewide, and all of its costs are fully funded by California boaters.
Sincerely,
_________________(Name)
_________________(Address)
_________________(City)
_________________(E-mail Address)
Friday, January 23, 2009 12:00:00 AM
Last updated: Friday, January 23, 2009 12:48:00 PM
Contact State Legislators NOW to Stop Your Boater Fees From Being Hijacked!
Unless boaters act now, Cal Boating will be gone in 3 months, the boating advocacy group Recreational Boaters of California warns.
Please take a moment to e-mail your California state representatives: Send them a message to show your support for Cal Boating!
To locate your individual representative, please refer to this Web site: www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html. Please take the time to write to your representative or copy and paste our sample letter below.
Also, due to the fact that many state legislators opt out of disclosing their email addresses, our sample letter can be downloaded here for postal mailing.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Legislator:
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is submitting a reorganization proposal to the California State Legislature that would eliminate the Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW).
The governor’s plan is set to take effect this spring – UNLESS the California Senate or the Assembly adopts by majority vote a resolution rejecting the plan.
I STRONGLY urge you to reject this wrongheaded plan, which would neither save money nor provide any benefit to California taxpayers. On the contrary: It would negatively affect the state’s more than 3 million boaters and California’s $17 billion per year recreational boating industry.
What does the DBW mean to California boaters?
• DBW receives no General Fund dollars: It is entirely funded by boater fuel tax dollars, boat registration fees and interest payments on infrastructure loans (including those for boating access projects, marina improvements and launch ramp construction).
• DBW has a compact organizational structure and administers boating programs in a timely and non-bureaucratic manner. Its statutory charter is directly boating-related.
• DBW provides accountability, transparency and leadership in its allocation and use of boater-derived taxes and fees, and in providing the best use of these funds for programs benefiting boating.
• California’s more than 3 million boating enthusiasts, who support a $17 billion per year boating industry, must have a dedicated department to represent their interests -- with a director whose primary focus is boating.
• The elimination of DBW will not provide the governor’s projected $600,000 in savings, and would eliminate essential boating programs and services including:
o Maintaining safety on the waterways for more than 3 million boating enthusiasts.
o Ensuring environmental protection for the state’s waterways.
o Stimulating the state’s economy through loans and grants for boating facility
construction – all 100-percent funded by boater-paid fees, at no cost to
taxpayers.
Please reject Gov. Schwarzenegger’s unwarranted effort to destroy a model agency that operates efficiently. The Department of Boating and Waterways provides a valuable service to boaters statewide, and all of its costs are fully funded by California boaters.
Sincerely,
_________________(Name)
_________________(Address)
_________________(City)
_________________(E-mail Address)
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