California Caucus Fends Off Conservation Funding Attack

California Conservation Funding Protected  
 
The California Legislature Outdoor Sporting Caucus successfully fended off efforts to "borrow" $30 million dollars from the Fish and Game Preservation Fund-the account into which all hunting and fishing license monies, all bear tag monies, a significant portion of deer tag funds, and many other hunter/angler generated revenues are deposited.
Last month, in an attempt to plug budget holes, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed to "borrow" $30 million dollars from the Preservation Fund. Had the proposal been approved, it would have undermined the Department of Fish and Game's ability to carry out its wildlife conservation mandates, provide adequate enforcement in the field, and negatively impacted hunting and fishing opportunity.