With permission from BigBite...

"Well people, this thread had been buried for the past 7 months and I just had to bring it back... because of what is happening to the fund as it is today. I really, REALLY hate to say this, but I told you so! The first year and we are already having problems and bickering with how this money is going to be spent. You see, when it comes to money, and lots of it, these stupid legislators cannot keep their dirty fingers out of the cookie jar! (sorry cookie).

Because of the state's continuing budget crisis, you just had to know that there was going to be attempts on diverting the Legacy amendment dollars. Take for instance Rep. Tom Rukavina, DFL of Virginia... he is indicating that he wants to use the money for projects that stimulate the Minnesota economy.

And what's up with Rep. Jean Wagenius, DFL of Minneapolis? She is defendeding the Legislature's 11th-hour redefinition last year of just what "restore, protect and enhance" habitat for fish, game and wildlife means. And why was this in the 11th hour? Because our great and noble legislators didn't want the public to know what was going on behind the scenes. Both Wagenius and others in our fine Minnesota House, including Rep. Mary Murphy, DFL of Hermantown claim "protect," can be interpreted to include educating people about the need for clean water. WE ALL KNOW THAT WE NEED CLEAN WATER, you idiots! Why divert the funds to education! Folks, all the education in the world is not going to be directly beneficial to fish, game and wildlife. What we need is for the money to go where it's supposed to go.

We need to vote these people out of office. Did you know that when hunters and anglers were fighting to get this legislation on the ballot, Mary Murphy sat on the sidelines and did absolutely nothing? Not only that, she opposed the amendment! AND Jean Wagenius has absolutely no support among wildlife and conservation groups for the language definitions she is proposing we adopt. EVEN the Department of Natural Resources disagrees with the rewriting of the definitions and the overall attempt to change the intent of the amendment. And get this... Murphy has established a committee which has almost completed a "legislative guide" to Outdoor Heritage Fund expenditures. WHAT?!?!?! She could care less about what we, the people want!

PEOPLE - We, the voters passed this constitutional amendment to ensure that we would have the funds to protect and clean up our lakes, rivers, streams and the great outdoors. This money should be used as voters intended... to expand and enhance these efforts. But no... now the money is there, kept in a drawer, and it is irking these legislators that they can't just use the money as they see fit. It's the 'ol bait and switch con. Get the people to vote on something they want, and switch it to something they don't want. This all started with the lottery, and I warned you. I voted against this amendment because our fine legislators think we are forgetful. The amendment was sold as the panacea that would fund natural resources... exactly as the lottery was sold to us. REMEMBER the lottery... fewer then 12 cents goes to natural resources because the legislature began making changes in it almost before the first ticket was sold. NOW the exact same thing is happening with the legacy fund.

When will this ever end?"

My Fishing Pals ( www.myfishingpals.com ) originated in 2003 as a hobby-fishing site that welcomes Minnesota fishermen to share fishing reports, information, and other items related to fishing. In 2005 a controversial forum was created on the site so that Minnesota fishermen could address fishing and hunting issues. These controversial forums have become an avenue for hunters and fishermen to voice their opinions and concerns and, at times, defend traditional Minnesota values.