Cali Buckle Down

[Kwicherbichen]

Rumors are flying in Sacramento that the California Performance Review (CPR) process, sanctioned by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, is considering a proposal to eliminate the Department of Boating and Waterways, distributing the functions of the department to other agencies.
RBOC, the nonprofit organization that promotes and advocates the interests of boaters statewide before the legislative and executive branches of state and local government, is opposed to the move.
Since becoming a department in 1967, DBW has proven to be an effective, efficient, and model department.
DBW and its vital, boater-funded programs, are critical to -
• safety on the waterways for over three million California boating enthusiasts,
• environmental protection for the state waterways, and
• stimulation of the state’s economy through loans and grants for boating-facility construction.
DBW has a vital role in ensuring that CaliforniaÂ’s unique recreational-boating environments continue to be supported by a world-renowned recreational-boating infrastructure.
Indeed, DBWÂ’s programs are essential for the state to meet the demand for new and upgraded public-access boating facilities that will total at least $837 million over the next 16 years.
DBW does not receive monies from the stateÂ’s general fund. Rather, DBW activities are supported by boater-generated fuel-tax dollars, registration fees, federal gas-sales tax funds, and interest earned from loans of those funds.
The Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund receives $90 million dollars annually from the computed amount of gasoline tax that the recreational boater pays each year.
Of the $90 million boatersÂ’ gasoline tax, $26 million was diverted to the DPR this year - and last year - for what DPR says goes to the support of recreational boating in the state parks.
When asked to account for the $26 million, the DPR says it canÂ’t.
The funds are co-mingled with the funds they receive from the general fund and spent were they feel they are needed.
If the DBW were eliminated, this could possibly be the fate of all boater-generated gasoline tax. Recreational boaters would receive little or no direct benefit from their gas-tax dollars - and no accountability.
RBOC believes that it is critical that this stateÂ’s more than three million boating enthusiasts, who support a $17 billion per year boating industry, continue to have the leadership, accountability, and dedication that are ensured by a boating department with a director whose principal focus is boating.
RBOC requests that all recreational boaters stay apprised of and oppose the continual efforts that are made to eliminate the DBW and use the boater-generated gas tax monies to supplement other departments that receive funding from the general fund.
Bookmark the RBOC Web site on your browser - www.rboc.org - and stay informed on issues of interest to California recreational boating.
William Patton is president of the Recreational Boaters of California.

[Kwicherbichen]

Sure, we know the state is in a budget mess. The governor and the LegislatureÂ’s need to find billions of dollars to run our government remains at issue.
But, cutting the Department of Boating and Waterways is not the way to go. We think eliminating the Boating and Waterways Commission is equally bad.
Recreational boaters - and marine-industry professionals - need one state agency where they can go for waterways information and services.
We urge our readers to contact the governor and tell him to keep his Terminator hands off DBW. E-mail the governor at governor@governor.ca.gov with your opinion, then contact your legislative representative.

[Kwicherbichen]

RBOC Issues ‘Call To Arms’ To Save DBW
Thursday, May 13, 2004
By Louis Gerlinger
Log News Service - With a “Call to Arms,” Recreational Boaters of California has joined with a number of other statewide organizations in urging California boaters to contact Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger - urging him not to eliminate the state Department of Boating and Waterways.
“It would appear that Sacramento is trying once again to eliminate the Department of Boating and Waters,” RBOC warned in a May 3 release. “Possibly they feel that if they make enough attempts, the boaters will give up and go away.”
The current attempt is cloaked in a manner that would conceal the elimination of DBW until it was presented to the Legislators, RBOC said. boating community to react.”
RBOC said that it had received the news, from what it considers a reliable source, that eliminating the DBW will be included in the Reorganization Plan for state government, which is being developed by the California Performance Review process.
Schwarzenegger created the California Performance Review by executive order on Feb.10 to conduct a focused examination of California state government.
Based on this examination and assessment, the 200-plus state workers and others assigned to the project are expected to produce a Reorganization Plan by the end of June.
RBOC said its concern is that this plan, intended to propose a number of revisions to transform state government and energize the bureaucracy so that they provide the best services to the public in the most efficient way, will include “an ill-advised proposal to eliminate the department.”
The plan, RBOC said, would take effect unless disapproved by a majority vote of either house of the Legislature, within a limited period of time.
RBOC also encouraged boaters to contact their representatives in the Legislature, urging them to ask the governor not to abolish the department.
The Southern California Marine Association has also requested the governor to drop any proposal to eliminate the DBW for his government-reorganization plan.
In a May 5 letter to Schwarzenegger, SCMA president Marie Schock asked the governor to “reject the notion of terminating the Department of Boating and Waterways.”
Schock said that California boaters deserve an independent state agency to oversee recreational boating.
“DBW is an efficient and effective agency of the state and has earned the respect and support of both the boating industry and of the recreational-boating community,” she said.
Schock said that the boating industry has a $16.5 billion impact on the state economy, supports directly and indirectly about 284,000 jobs, and requires more than 8,000 businesses for product and service.
And, she said, boating generates an estimated $1.6 billion in state and local tax revenues.
The real purpose of eliminating the department is to divert the taxes and fees paid by the boating public to non-boating purposes, Schock said.
The California Association of Harbor Masters & Port Captains on April 28 warned its members that another plan could be underway to eliminate the department.
Joseph R. Manusia, executive director of the association, said that he had received information from a very reliable source in Sacramento that the governor would include eliminating the department in his proposed re-organization plan.
If the plan the governor forwards to the legislature includes a recommendation to eliminate the department, there will not be the usual debate on the merits of each recommendation, Manusia said.
Because the California Performance Review plan is expected to be submitted to the governor before the end of June, RBOC and the Harbor Masters Association urge boaters not to delay in writing letters of support for the department.
RBOC and CAHMPC have posted information and sample letters on their Web sites - www.rboc.org and www.harbormaster.org

[shueman]

Thanks for bringing this out. We should all take a few minutes to express our concern.