Governor’s Proposed Elimination of Department of Boating and Waterway
California Budget Summary, Click here to see document.
Recreational Boaters of California, RBOC, is asking boaters to get involved and take action to eliminate this proposed action. To read the RBOC's Call-to-Arms please click here. The RBOC has done an excellent job providing examples and links to our elected officials.
Dept. of Parks and Recreation - Report to the Legislature
A couple of years ago I brought to your attention that every year since the mid 90’s the Department of Parks and Recreation has been able to “peal” off $27 M of the moneys originally legislated for the Department of Boating and Waterways. If you would like to see how they have been spending our money you can read the report by clicking here. First Third, Second Third, Last Third.
Department of Boating and Waterways Budget One of the very cool elements of the “loan” program is that as the loans are paid back the Department has even more money to use to increase boating infrastructure. Should our Government accept the LAO recommendations this program would go away leaving local government and private industry to develop the coast in a way that might not be conducive to affordable access. Click here to read the Department of Boating and Waterways Budget.
Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) Report (2.3.2009) The LAO provides nonpartisan fiscal and policy analysis for the California Legislature. Earlier this week, the LAO issued a “2009-10 Budget Analysis Series RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION”. You can read this report by clicking here. Of particular interest is the LAO’s discussion, and support for the Governor’s Proposed Elimination of the Department of Boating and Waterways (Cal Boating) which starts on page 53. The LAO goes beyond the Governor’s proposal by recommending that Licensing of Yacht and Ship Brokers be eliminated and the elimination of the private marina and small craft harbor loan programs. I believe both of these programs are vital to the boaters in Dana Point Harbor.
Coalition Letter Sent from Multiple Associations & Groups
An excellent letter has been delivered to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. This letter was sent by nine important Associations and Groups. Read letter here.
Orange County Board of Supervisors Pass Motion on DBW
On Tuesday 2.3.08 our County Board of Supervisors passed a motion to send a letter asking that the boater funding mechanism of DBW remain intact and be protected should the Department of Boating and Waterways be eliminated. While it is not clear if this would allow other important functions of the DBW to be protected this is a fantastic step in the right direction. You should send a big thank you to:
Brad Gross, Director OC Dana Point Harbor
Alisa Drakodaidis – Deputy CEO
Thomas Mauk – County CEO
Supervisor and Chairperson Pat Bates
Supervisor and Vice Chair Janet Nguyen
Supervisor John Moorlach
Supervisor Chris Norby.
You can watch Brad, Thomas and four of our County Board of Supervisors discussing this important topic. Please click here. After the window opens please scroll down immediately under the video window and select item 15.
Orange County Government – NICE JOB.
The following material is reproduced from the RBOC site. 1/25/09 BDH:
RBOC is asking the Recreational Boaters to support by submitting letters in support of RBOC's recommended position.
Unless boaters act now, Cal Boating will be gone in 3 months! California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is submitting a reorganization proposal to the State Legislature that would eliminate the Department of Boating and Waterways.
The governor’s plan will become effective this Spring, after it has been given to the Legislature, unless either the Senate or the Assembly adopts by majority vote a resolution rejecting the plan.
- Write or email the Governor and urge him to withdraw his plan to eliminate the Department of Boating and Waterways.
• To email, go to: http://gov.ca.gov/interact#email
• Or write to: The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor, State of California
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
- Write or email your Senator & Assembly Member, identifying yourself as a Constituent by including your address.
• To find your Legislator, go to: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html
- Request that your legislators act now to reject the Governor’s proposal to eliminate the
Department of Boating and Waterways.
- Send copies to RBOC by email to rboc@rboc.org
or by fax to 916-441-3520.
Bullet Points for Emails and Letters
- DBW receives no General Fund dollars, and is funded by boater fuel tax dollars, registration fees, and interest payments on infrastructure loans.
- DBW provides Accountability, Transparency and Leadership regarding the collection and use of boater-derived taxes and fees, and the best use of these funds for programs benefiting boating.
- This state’s more than 3 million boating enthusiasts, who support a $17 billion per year boating industry, must have a department with a Director whose primary focus is boating.
- The elimination of DBW will not provide the projected $600,000 in savings, and would eliminate essential boating programs and services including:
o Safety on the waterways for over 3 million boating enthusiasts.
o Environmental protection for the state waterways.
o Stimulation of the state’s economy through loans and grants for boating facility construction.
- DBW has a compact organizational structure and administers boating programs in a timely and nonbureaucratic manner. Its statutory charter is directly boating-related.
RBOC's January 22, 2009 Call To Arms (download)
THE GOVERNOR’S ROADMAP FOR MORE EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT
18 Ways to Make Gvernment Work Better for the People
Governor Schwarzenegger is continuing with his commitment to make government more efficient for the people of California. In these especially difficult budget times, the Governor believes that if we are to ask the people of California to give more of their paychecks... (download and read)
