Kentucky fishery polotics

[artcarney_agr]

Now, I'm confused about whether the KDFWR budget IS or IS NOT free from political Control. Based upon Commissioner Gassetts letter of March 1, 2007, it appears it IS NOT under political control.

Quoting Letter from Commissioner Gassett, March 1, 2007

“Many states subsidize their license revenues with General Fund dollars or other mechanisms that spread conservation costs across all citizens. Kentucky does not. Missouri’s fish and wildlife funding nets nearly $100 million from a sales tax percentage. Fish and Wildlife agencies in Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia also receive funding from the general populace. Wildlife belongs to all citizens and is held in public trust by the government. But in Kentucky, only those who buy licenses and permits pay for wildlife management and conservation.”

Full text is available at http://fw.ky.gov/gassettletter.asp?lid=1917&NavPath=C129

Also, you may find the following link interesting reading: The History of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources from Settlement Through 1944 ( paste link below into your web browser)

http://www.kdfwr.state.ky.us/kdfwrhistory.asp?lid=1715&NavPath=C557

Good Fishing to All,
Gary

KDFWR is not under the control of the state, but yet they really are and no one really admits to it...I guess you could say that they are "highly influenced" by the state...

[roberte68]

Don't you believe for a second they won't find a way to touch funds if they decide to.

By the way, those Fish and Wildlife Officers are some of the lowest paid Law Enforcement Officers in state government.