Quote:
Originally Posted by Reggoh
What if they just came out and said we are going to raise license fees from $5.50 to $13.00 effective 2014 without any reasoning besides inflation? Would that be OK? Or are you only opposed to the increase because you are suspect of where the increased funds will be spent?
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In general, funding of government agencies should be subject to citizens being satisfied with the services provided by those government agencies.
Your argument amounts to asserting that agency funding should be increased proportionally to costs of doing business regardless of whether they are adhering to their mission or satisfying citizens with their services.
The law specifies that wildlife and fisheries in Louisiana be managed with the best available science. Good science is at the core of their mission. Citizens have noticed that the LWF Commission and LDWF has deviated from their mission by consistently mismanaging resources and passing more restrictive regulations without and scientific need. Further, LDWF has refused to share data for four years now, while continuing to pass more restrictive regulations.
Refusing to further increase their funding is one reasonable and prudent step citizens can take to encourage state agencies to better achieve their mission. Passing every request to increase funding is more likely to maintain the status quo. I would support cutting funding for the EPA for the same reason.