I received this email from RBOC:
"Save Cal Boating Update
Additional Boater Efforts will be Needed
Following a lengthy public hearing by the Little Hoover Commission [LHC] on April 25, RBOC is updating its strategy and advocacy efforts in light of the distinct possibility that the Commission will recommend approval of the Governor's proposed reorganization plan including the elimination of the Department of Boating and Waterways [DBW] and the transfer of its functions to the Department of Parks and Recreation.
RBOC anticipates that the key to the next phase will involve additional, direct lobbying in the Capitol, as well as boater contacts with their members of the Senate and Assembly, in opposition to the Governor's proposed elimination of DBW.
Of note from the April 25 LHC hearing, the Commissioners acknowledged that the proposed elimination of DBW [out of the total 28 reorganization proposals] had the highest turn-out and level of stakeholder interest.
The Commissioners reacted to the strong position of the DBW supporters with probing questions raised by several individual commissioners. Witnesses were able to raise each of the issues in support of continuation of the department. RBOC witnesses included Vice President North Jack Michael, Past President - Director Lenora Clark, Director Mia Bernt, and Director of Government Relations Jerry Desmond, Jr..
Subsequent to the public hearing, the LHC held a separate business meeting in which six [out of a total of thirteen] commissioners discussed a draft outline of the Commission's approach.
From the discussions during the subsequent LHC meeting, it is likely that the Commission will be recommending that the Legislature approve the Governor's comprehensive reorganization proposal with specific notations and recommendations.
The majority of the commissioners present expressed views contrary to those advocated by RBOC and the many supporters of DBW. These included:
The programs, services and functions of DBW would continue as currently provided, even if DBW were to become a division within State Parks.
There is symmetry between the structure, funding, and objectives of DBW and the Off Highway Vehicle Division within State Parks.
The merger of DBW into State Parks would not expose boater-generated funds to an elevated risk, as funds are already being re-directed from the Motor Vehicle Fuel Account.
The majority of the commissioners present also expressed the position that there could be a specific notation accompanying an LHC recommendation in support of the proposed elimination of DBW and merger of its functions into State Parks. The notation could be that: [a] an advisory commission should be established that provides transparency but does not have approval authority over loans and grants; and that the chair of that advisory commission also have a seat on the parks commission.
A minority of the commissioners present expressed the position that a statement should be included in the LHC review, stating that attention should be paid to the dedication of boater-generated funds to programs and services that directly benefit the boating community.
Moving forward, the LHC staff plans to provide a draft of the LHC recommendations by May 8, for review by Commissioners on May 11, and for possible approval by the LHC on May 22.
RBOC is preparing strategies for these upcoming events leading to a possible LHC vote on May 22, as well as subsequent consideration of the recommendations by the State Legislature. The LHC recommendations are advisory and not binding on the Legislature. Actions by individual boaters will again be essential.
One house of the Legislature must vote down the Governor's comprehensive reorganization plan in order for it not to take effect.
Best.
Jerry Desmond, Jr.
Director of Government Relations
Recreational Boaters of California
www.RBOC.org
DESMOND & DESMOND
925 L Street, Suite 220
Sacramento, CA 95814
p 916.441.4166
f 916.441.3520
e jerry 'at' DesmondLobbyFirm.com
www.DesmondLobbyFirm.com
"Save Cal Boating Update
Additional Boater Efforts will be Needed
Following a lengthy public hearing by the Little Hoover Commission [LHC] on April 25, RBOC is updating its strategy and advocacy efforts in light of the distinct possibility that the Commission will recommend approval of the Governor's proposed reorganization plan including the elimination of the Department of Boating and Waterways [DBW] and the transfer of its functions to the Department of Parks and Recreation.
RBOC anticipates that the key to the next phase will involve additional, direct lobbying in the Capitol, as well as boater contacts with their members of the Senate and Assembly, in opposition to the Governor's proposed elimination of DBW.
Of note from the April 25 LHC hearing, the Commissioners acknowledged that the proposed elimination of DBW [out of the total 28 reorganization proposals] had the highest turn-out and level of stakeholder interest.
The Commissioners reacted to the strong position of the DBW supporters with probing questions raised by several individual commissioners. Witnesses were able to raise each of the issues in support of continuation of the department. RBOC witnesses included Vice President North Jack Michael, Past President - Director Lenora Clark, Director Mia Bernt, and Director of Government Relations Jerry Desmond, Jr..
Subsequent to the public hearing, the LHC held a separate business meeting in which six [out of a total of thirteen] commissioners discussed a draft outline of the Commission's approach.
From the discussions during the subsequent LHC meeting, it is likely that the Commission will be recommending that the Legislature approve the Governor's comprehensive reorganization proposal with specific notations and recommendations.
The majority of the commissioners present expressed views contrary to those advocated by RBOC and the many supporters of DBW. These included:
The programs, services and functions of DBW would continue as currently provided, even if DBW were to become a division within State Parks.
There is symmetry between the structure, funding, and objectives of DBW and the Off Highway Vehicle Division within State Parks.
The merger of DBW into State Parks would not expose boater-generated funds to an elevated risk, as funds are already being re-directed from the Motor Vehicle Fuel Account.
The majority of the commissioners present also expressed the position that there could be a specific notation accompanying an LHC recommendation in support of the proposed elimination of DBW and merger of its functions into State Parks. The notation could be that: [a] an advisory commission should be established that provides transparency but does not have approval authority over loans and grants; and that the chair of that advisory commission also have a seat on the parks commission.
A minority of the commissioners present expressed the position that a statement should be included in the LHC review, stating that attention should be paid to the dedication of boater-generated funds to programs and services that directly benefit the boating community.
Moving forward, the LHC staff plans to provide a draft of the LHC recommendations by May 8, for review by Commissioners on May 11, and for possible approval by the LHC on May 22.
RBOC is preparing strategies for these upcoming events leading to a possible LHC vote on May 22, as well as subsequent consideration of the recommendations by the State Legislature. The LHC recommendations are advisory and not binding on the Legislature. Actions by individual boaters will again be essential.
One house of the Legislature must vote down the Governor's comprehensive reorganization plan in order for it not to take effect.
Best.
Jerry Desmond, Jr.
Director of Government Relations
Recreational Boaters of California
www.RBOC.org
DESMOND & DESMOND
925 L Street, Suite 220
Sacramento, CA 95814
p 916.441.4166
f 916.441.3520
e jerry 'at' DesmondLobbyFirm.com
www.DesmondLobbyFirm.com