SENATOR FLOREZ CALLS FOR MLPA OVERSIGHT HEARING!! - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Holy Mackerel · 04-06-2009, 08:05 AM

This is Great NEWS!! This is due in part of your letter writing!!! Send Florez a letter today!!

Dean Florez
State Capitol
Room 313
Sacramento, CA
94248-0001

http://www.wonews.com/t-UpdateReport...pa-033009.aspx

SAN MATEO — Citing possible conflict of interest and abusive politics, state senator Dean Florez (D) announced his intent to call an oversight hearing on questionable aspects of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) process, including possible conflicts of interest on the part of California Fish and Game Commission member Michael Sutton and the seemingly out-of-control budget requirements for the MLPA here in California.

The announcement came at the March 28 Coastside Fishing Club fundraising dinner, where Florez was key note speaker.
“There will be some tough questions that will have to be answered by (Secretary for Natural Resources) Mike Chrisman and for Michael Sutton,” said Florez, who is the senate majority leader, and the Democratic caucus chairman of the budget oversight committee. “There is not enough transparency in this process.” He said the questions that need answering include questions about Sutton’s past, and potential conflicts of interest due to Sutton’s connections with the Packard Foundation, which has provided funding for the MLPA process.

“This has become politics, not policy,” said Florez. He requested guidance from the Coastside members. “I want you to give me your thoughts on what questions we need to ask.”

One of the issues he is focusing on is how a process that started with an estimated $250,000 budget has built to a bureaucracy requiring $35 million to maintain. Florez also touched on salmon hatchery concerns, and questioned how the MLPA process has allowed closures without sufficient scientific support to prove the closures are the right thing to do.

He invited Coastside members to follow the coming oversight hearing, and said that if a quarter of the 250 members who attended the dinner showed up at the hearing, it would have a huge impact on the outcome.

04-06-2009, 08:05 AM	#1
Holy Mackerel Señor member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,627	SENATOR FLOREZ CALLS FOR MLPA OVERSIGHT HEARING!! This is Great NEWS!! This is due in part of your letter writing!!! Send Florez a letter today!! Dean Florez State Capitol Room 313 Sacramento, CA 94248-0001 http://www.wonews.com/t-UpdateReport...pa-033009.aspx SAN MATEO — Citing possible conflict of interest and abusive politics, state senator Dean Florez (D) announced his intent to call an oversight hearing on questionable aspects of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) process, including possible conflicts of interest on the part of California Fish and Game Commission member Michael Sutton and the seemingly out-of-control budget requirements for the MLPA here in California. The announcement came at the March 28 Coastside Fishing Club fundraising dinner, where Florez was key note speaker. “There will be some tough questions that will have to be answered by (Secretary for Natural Resources) Mike Chrisman and for Michael Sutton,” said Florez, who is the senate majority leader, and the Democratic caucus chairman of the budget oversight committee. “There is not enough transparency in this process.” He said the questions that need answering include questions about Sutton’s past, and potential conflicts of interest due to Sutton’s connections with the Packard Foundation, which has provided funding for the MLPA process. “This has become politics, not policy,” said Florez. He requested guidance from the Coastside members. “I want you to give me your thoughts on what questions we need to ask.” One of the issues he is focusing on is how a process that started with an estimated $250,000 budget has built to a bureaucracy requiring $35 million to maintain. Florez also touched on salmon hatchery concerns, and questioned how the MLPA process has allowed closures without sufficient scientific support to prove the closures are the right thing to do. He invited Coastside members to follow the coming oversight hearing, and said that if a quarter of the 250 members who attended the dinner showed up at the hearing, it would have a huge impact on the outcome.