HB 2381: More Positive Legislation

By Jim Slinsky

As a writer and broadcaster traveling to Harrisburg to meet directly with legislators has become a life-altering experience. There is no better way to evaluate a person than looking him or her in the eye and pressing the flesh. One learns volumes about a legislator after a 30-minute face to face conversation.

Our House Game and Fisheries Committee (HGFC) chaired by SR Ed Staback is stacked with exemplary legislators who are listening to their constituents. Actually, they are listening to all Pennsylvanians in the never-ending battle to reform PGC's policies. I wish I could say the same for the Pa. Senate. Within the Senate there are more than a few that haven't decided if they are in office to represent their constituents or represent the state agencies. I suspect I will be providing names in future columns.

Be that as it may, we will work with the positive for the moment. State Rep Dan Surra's stellar HB1214 was the first curative legislation to emerge from the HGFC since the former Chairman, SR Bruce Smith, retired. This one passed the House unanimously, but is now tied-up by the "Friends of the PGC" on the Senate side. Under the leadership of SR Ed Staback, HGFC Majority Chairman and Minority Chairman, Sam Rohrer, the HGFC is working as it is supposed to work, in a cooperative, non-partisan fashion.

Recently, SR Mike Hanna came forth with his HB 2381, which is the second piece of curative legislation to come out and long-overdue by decades. This legislation consists of two components. First, it prevents former PGC employees and/or PGC WCOs from becoming PGC Commissioners. Anyone who has difficulty understanding the logic of keeping former PGC people off the Board of Commissioners should show you who signs their paycheck.

The second component guides our PGC Commissioners in their wildlife management decisions. It states, "In all wildlife management decisions, the Commissioners shall be guided by the principles of best management practices utilizing scientific analysis supported by verifiable data with equal regard for the social, economic and recreational impacts of their decisions". This is basic stuff and you would think our PGC Commissioners are currently operating under this common sense principle. They are not and as such we need to establish parameters and prevent them from abusing their authority.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention SR Dan Moul, SR Gary Haluska, SR Tim Mahoney, SR Todd Rock, SR Sam Rohrer, SR Ed Staback and a dozen others who are working hard to pass curative legislation to control and correct the PGC's direction. Those House members who have not personally written legislation to contribute to the cause, quickly come forward to support the more experienced members in their efforts. I tell you this as a man who travels to Harrisburg to check the pulse of our legislators. I am not sitting at a computer in the corner of my basement pontificating about the tribulations in Harrisburg.

Watch your local newspapers, carefully. You will see "Letters to the Editor" appear from all corners of the state condemning curative legislation and those who write it. There will be a remarkably similar writing style from letter to letter. The "Friends of the PGC" are in a full court press mode to defeat any legislation that attempts to bring the PGC into the 21st century. You will read that Dr. Charles Bolgiano, the Unified Sportsmen of Pa. and Jim Slinsky are bad people determined to destroy the PGC. Of course, nothing could possibly be further from the truth. The curative legislation in the pipeline will only force the PGC and our Commissioners to operate in a more responsible, responsive manner, strengthen their autonomy and their buffer against hostile takeover by the DCNR. The pending legislation will help prevent the loss of hunters and their revenue by proving our legislators are listening even if the PGC isn't.

What you are seeing is history in the making. Our thinking sportsmen have had enough of the failed PGC policies of the last eight years. They are pouring their money and passion into the Unified Sportsmen of Pa. in the effort to change the course of history. The PGC has energized their "Friends of the PGC" to make certain that no legislation is ever passed to correct their influenced and incompetent management decisions. It is your decision which faction of this war you will join.

Whichever you choose, your Senator is waiting for your call.

Jim Slinsky is the host and producer of the "Outdoor Talk Network," a nationally syndicated outdoor-talk radio program. For a station near you or to contact Jim, visit his website at Outdoor Talk Network

Advertise in Pensylvania Woods & Waters