California OHV Funds at Risk Again

[Senator]

California residents are urged to call their representatives and members of the Budget Conference Committee to ask them to not take money out of the OHV Trust Fund to operate CA State Parks where OHV use is NOT allowed.

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATORS CONSIDERING USING OHV FUNDS TO OPERATE STATE PARKS WHERE OHV USE IS NOT ALLOWED

California residents are urged to call their representatives and members of the Budget Conference Committee to ask them to not take money out of the OHV Trust Fund to operate CA State Parks where OHV use is NOT allowed BAKERSFIELD, CA (June 12, 2009) The State of California is in the midst of a severe budget crisis. Some legislators in the State would like to destroy one of the only programs in the State that is self funded and does not use any general fund money. In 1971 the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) community agreed not use general fund dollars to operate and maintain their system of recreation areas. Instead, this segment of the recreating public chose a “pay to play” system. The OHV Division of California State Parks is funded exclusively by taxes paid on gasoline used recreating off-highway, OHV registration fees and entrance fees to the State Vehicular Recreation Areas (SVRA’s). The OHV trust fund was already raided earlier this year by the legislature to “lend” the general fund $90 million that had been set aside for acquiring new properties. Now the OHV community in California is being asked to sacrifice even more to the current budget crisis. When will this madness stop? Why undermine one of the only successful and fully self-funded programs in the State? Our representatives are considering stealing the money of hard-working OHV recreating families. The leaders of this state should attempt to emulate the success of the OHV program in order to properly fund other non-OHV State Parks that are in need of operating funds.

Below you will find the contact information for the members of the Budget Conference Committee who will be considering this irresponsible action. Please contact them as well as your local representatives and express your displeasure with the idea of using OHV trust funds to operate California State Parks where OHV use is not allowed. Below you will find a template letter that can be personalized and faxed or e-mailed to the members of the Committee. This template letter can also be found on the AMA D37 message board at District 37 Message Board - Desert Racing Forums in both the off-road and dual sport forums. Together the OHV community can make a difference!


Below you will find a list of the 2009 Budget Conference Committee Members. If one of your legislators is on this committee then please call/send a letter to them. If not, please call/send a letter to the chair of either of the committees or both.


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2009 Budget Conference Committee Members


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Assembly
Noreen Evans (Chair): Fax 916-319-2107 - Phone 916-319-2007
Roger Niello: Fax 916-319-2105 - Phone 916-319-2005
Bob Blumenfield: Fax 916-319-2140 - Phone 916-319-2040
Kevin de Leon: Fax 916-319-2145 - Phone 916-319-2045
Jim Nielsen: Fax 916- 319-2102 - Phone 916-319-2002

Senate

Denise Ducheny (Chair): Fax 916-327-3522 - Phone 916-651-4040
Bob Dutton: Fax 916-327-2272 - Phone 916-651-4031
Mark Leno: Fax 916-445-4722 - Phone 916-651-4003
Alan Lowenthal: Fax 916-327-9113 - Phone 916-651-4027
Mimi Walters: Fax 916-445-9754 - Phone 916-651-4033


Here's your letter:


Dear (insert name of Legislator):

My family enjoys recreating together on off-highway vehicles. This is one of the few activities that everyone in our family can participate in together. I am aware of the fact that the state of California is in the midst of a serious financial crisis. It is my
understanding that the state is considering using OHV trust fund dollars to fund parks that do NOT allow OHV use. I am strongly opposed to this idea.

In 1971 the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) community agreed not use general fund dollars to operate and maintain their system of recreation areas. Instead, the OHV recreating public chose a “pay to play” system. The OHV Division of California State Parks is funded exclusively by taxes paid on gasoline used recreating off-highway, OHV registration fees and entrance fees to the State Vehicular Recreation Areas (SVRA’s).

The OHV trust fund was already raided earlier this year by the legislature to “lend” the general fund $90 million that had been set aside for acquiring new properties. Now the OHV community in California is being asked to sacrifice even more to the current budget crisis. When will this madness stop? Why undermine one of the only successful and fully self-funded programs in the State? Our representatives are considering stealing the money of hard-working OHV recreating families. The leaders of this state should attempt to emulate the success of the OHV program in order to properly fund other non-OHV State Parks that are in need of operating funds.

Sincerely,

Your name & address


Peace Brothas and Sistas

[94sheeMAN]

california blows... i hate this state.

[glamy]

This state is totally dis***tional when it comes to money! I wish we could or would threaten them with not paying anymore fees or taxes until they get there act together! Rob peter to pay paul f--ken sucks they should all be fired that would save the most money right there!

[QuickSand]

City of Bell, Ca. Scandal.. << Reminds me of that. Take the money and run.

Senator.. I've been away from the forum for a while.
What's the status on this situation, did they borrow more?
I doubt they returned our 90 million, maybe partial payment?
And have we lost more funds?

[dunedog]

effers want to take our money and take away our riding areas ! I got an Idea ! take some $$ from the enviro butt ****s orgs !