Merger Discussions....again

[melody]

Memorandum

February 19, 2013 04:00 PM

To: All House Members
From: Representative Martin Causer
Subject: Legislative Budget Finance Committee Study on Merging PFBC and PGC

In the near future, I plan to introduce a resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the financial feasibility and cost savings potential of combining the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania Game Commission into one agency.

Currently, our wildlife and aquatic resource agencies are of course completely separate, independent agencies. We are the only state in the nation to have a system of this type. The resolution will direct the LBFC to examine the financial feasibility, impact, costs and savings, due to elimination of duplications of personnel and services, of combining the agencies. Additionally, it will direct the LBFC to explore a range of options with regard to how to structure our wildlife agencies to best manage the wildlife and aquatic resources of the Commonwealth.

I believe given the concerns over financial difficulties the agencies have continually expressed to the legislature over the years, as well as the reality that other states’ wildlife agencies can operate efficiently under one umbrella, that now is the time to take a more serious look at the possibility of combining the agencies into one more streamlined, efficient agency.
Thank you for your consideration of this proposal.



So we don't want them to close the hatcheries to save money because we don't want to see anyone lose their jobs....but it's ok to merge the agencies to save money by doing away with redundant work/workers. Hmmmm....

[Dutch]

There are about 150 members of the general Assembly that are "redundant".

[galthatfishes]

+1 Dutch.

[Deleted]

I am reminded of a Mark Twain quote: "No free man is safe when the legislature is in session."

[dennyf]

triblive.com/sports/outdoors/3512231-74/fish-merger-commission#axzz2LLo1Zox7

[galthatfishes]

If anyone has facebook, Rep Causer is asking for opinions on a merger. Might be a good time to visit his page?

[melody]

HCO1272 By Causer. Directs LBFC to study the financial feasibility of combining PA Fish and Boat Commission and the PA Game Commission into one agency.


February 19, 2013 04:00 PM
* Rep. Martin Causer
* Legislative Budget Finance Committee Study on Merging PFBC and PGC
* In the near future, I plan to introduce a resolution directing the
* Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the financial
* feasibility and cost savings potential of combining the Pennsylvania
* Fish and Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania Game Commission into one
* agency.
*
*
*
* Currently, our wildlife and aquatic resource agencies are of course
* completely separate, independent agencies. We are the only state in the
* nation to have a system of this type. The resolution will direct the
* LBFC to examine the financial feasibility, impact, costs and savings,
* due to elimination of duplications of personnel and services, of
* combining the agencies. Additionally, it will direct the LBFC to
* explore a range of options with regard to how to structure our wildlife
* agencies to best manage the wildlife and aquatic resources of the
* Commonwealth.
*
*
*
* I believe given the concerns over financial difficulties the agencies
* have continually expressed to the legislature over the years, as well
* as the reality that other states' wildlife agencies can operate
* efficiently under one umbrella, that now is the time to take a more
* serious look at the possibility of combining the agencies into one more
* streamlined, efficient agency.
*
*
*
* Thank you for your consideration of this proposal.

[melody]

HR 129 By Causer. Resolution directing LBFC to investigate the financial feasibility, impact, costs &savings potential of eliminating duplicated duties & services by combining the Game Cmsn & the Fish & Boat Cmsn to create a new independent agency.

[Deleted]

I wonder if the reversal on closing two hatcheries means a better than average chance at being combined with the PGC?

[Deleted]

I just read that the Budget Finance Committee is doing the merger study. Did they do it previously and is it ok to have 'inside folks' doing such a study?

Wouldn't it be advisable to have a third party to do such a study?

[wentzler]

This is all very good. Somebody...other than me...needs find a way for us all to readily make the concensus of opinion and support known. I can't do that right now...I'm trying to build a GD house, deal with Marcellus arrangements for an entire community, and prune and contain about three property's worth of vegetation...with all reduction purposed over to wildlife habitat enhancement. That, And I've got to figure out how to get the dam* Ham for the Resurection!!!

Anybody else busy, just now

[melody]

So far....the resolution has only passed in committee. It still needs to pass in the full House floor before it's approved to be studied, and if/when that happens, it wil be the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee that performs the study. It is listed on the House calendar for April 8th for 1st consideration.

You can view the report from the last study:

lbfc.legis.state.pa.us/ Scroll down to "Game & Fish" and look for the November 2003 report for the last study.

[melody]

HR 129 was passed over today. Still on the calendar for tomorrow.

Calls/emails to your representative/copying leadership, asking them to table this for good could possibly help get it buried.

Majority of the sportsmen don't support a merger, so why should we waste taxpayer dollars studying something over and over again?

Leadership:

[e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail];

[fleroo]

While what PA has in separate game/fish agencies is unique int the outdoor agency realm, fiscal collapse is very real, and the writing on the wall can be seen with every cutback being made. As sportsmen, we certainly like and enjoy what separate agencies provide, agency personnel with specific skill-sets to better aid us as sportsmen in many respects. While certainly a good "luxury" to have, the feasability of it is running short.

I believe the recent financial gains due to Marcellus Shale operations can keep the PGC floating for a while, even without the much sought after (and deserved) license increase. But... the PFBC is in collapse mode, and with no help in sight that I can see. A merger would certainly benefit the PFBC moreso than the PGC. The PFBC has infrastructure in severe disrepair.... Dams, Hatcheries, etc...

Some years ago, Neil Young came out with a perty good song............... "Comes a Time".

[melody]

Held over again today. No vote to be called for today.

[galthatfishes]

Apr 10, 2013 7:54:59 GMT -5 fleroo said:

While what PA has in separate game/fish agencies is unique int the outdoor agency realm, fiscal collapse is very real, and the writing on the wall can be seen with every cutback being made. As sportsmen, we certainly like and enjoy what separate agencies provide, agency personnel with specific skill-sets to better aid us as sportsmen in many respects. While certainly a good "luxury" to have, the feasability of it is running short.

I believe the recent financial gains due to Marcellus Shale operations can keep the PGC floating for a while, even without the much sought after (and deserved) license increase. But... the PFBC is in collapse mode, and with no help in sight that I can see. A merger would certainly benefit the PFBC moreso than the PGC. The PFBC has infrastructure in severe disrepair.... Dams, Hatcheries, etc...

Some years ago, Neil Young came out with a perty good song............... "Comes a Time".

Fiscal collapse is only a part of this because the legislature won't do their freaking jobs. Period. End of story.

Had the agencies been given the same % increases as any other commission in the state-

I hate to say this- but the LEGISLATURE is the worst enemy of hunting and angling in this state.

I wish we had a PUKE icon.

[Deleted]

Apr 10, 2013 11:18:49 GMT -5 galthatfishes said:

Apr 10, 2013 7:54:59 GMT -5 fleroo said:

While what PA has in separate game/fish agencies is unique int the outdoor agency realm, fiscal collapse is very real, and the writing on the wall can be seen with every cutback being made. As sportsmen, we certainly like and enjoy what separate agencies provide, agency personnel with specific skill-sets to better aid us as sportsmen in many respects. While certainly a good "luxury" to have, the feasability of it is running short.

I believe the recent financial gains due to Marcellus Shale operations can keep the PGC floating for a while, even without the much sought after (and deserved) license increase. But... the PFBC is in collapse mode, and with no help in sight that I can see. A merger would certainly benefit the PFBC moreso than the PGC. The PFBC has infrastructure in severe disrepair.... Dams, Hatcheries, etc...

Some years ago, Neil Young came out with a perty good song............... "Comes a Time".

Fiscal collapse is only a part of this because the legislature won't do their freaking jobs. Period. End of story.

Had the agencies been given the same % increases as any other commission in the state-

I hate to say this- but the LEGISLATURE is the worst enemy of hunting and angling in this state.

I wish we had a PUKE icon.

Here Ya go!

[galthatfishes]

Thanks Stroupy. That sums it up.

[melody]

05-13-13 H Adopted (Vote: Y:197/N: 0)