I forgot to request that when you contact your legislators about this issue and they reply--please send me their comments so we can track the responses. Thanks! Jane Clark [log in to unmask] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim H Clark" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Friday, March 07, 2008 4:44 PM Subject: Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation! > Sustainable Funding for Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation. > Proposed Constitutional Amendment > > Any questions may be referred to me. > Thanks! > Jane Clark > [log in to unmask] > > For many years, Iowa has failed to commit the funds necessary to protect > and > enhance Iowa's natural resources and outdoor recreation opportunities. > There > are serious unmet needs before Iowa will have healthy water, land and > wildlife. > > Recently, a bipartisan Iowa Legislative Committee, working closely with > several conservation/environmental/agricultural groups, recommended that > Iowa set aside a dedicated fund to protect and enhance Iowa's natural > resources . > > SSB 3250, which passed the Iowa Senate Natural Resources and Environmental > Protection committee yesterday, would amend Iowa's constitution to > guarantee > that revenue generated by the next 3/8 of one cent increase in Iowa's > sales > tax must be dedicated to protect and enhance: > o Water quality, > o Natural areas including parks and trails, > o Fish and wildlife habitat, and > o Soil conservation. > > Senate Study Bill (SSB) 3250 is an important initial step--it's important > today, and vital for future generations. This bill would put a question > on > a future ballot asking Iowans create a fund specifically for Iowa's water > and soil quality, parks and wildlife. As soon as the bill is filed, it > will > be renumbered as a Senate Joint Resolution (by 3/11 or 3/12). > > ACTION NEEDED; > We are encouraging everyone to contact their Senators to vote YES for this > proposal on the floor of the Senate. Below is a sample email that you may > personalize--always be sure to include your name and mailing address on an > email to a Legislator. > > You may find your Senator or Representative by going to this weblink and > using your address or 9-digit ZIP code: > http://www.legis.state.ia.us/FindLeg/ > > Simultaneously, we are already working on the House Natural Resources > Committee. This is the link to the members of that committee > http://www3.legis.state.ia.us/ga/committee.do?id=28 > > This funding would be constitutionally protected in the Natural Resources > and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund, audited annually and cannot be spent > for > any other purpose. > o The trust fund would protect natural resources and achieve > conservation in partnership with state and local agencies as well as > non-profits. > o This constitutional amendment is our promise to Iowans of > healthier > water quality and wildlife and a top-notch system of parks and trails. > o It's our promise that Iowa's natural resources will be here for > future generations. > > It is important to understand what this legislation does and what it > doesn't > do > o What it does: > It ensures that IF the legislature raises the sales tax, > 3/8 of a cent must be dedicated to enhancing our state's natural resources > > o What it doesn't do: > This bill does not raise taxes, nor does it give voters the > ability to raise the sales tax-only the legislature can do that. > Even if this constitutional amendment is adopted, only the > legislature can approve the sales tax increase that would be needed to > provide funding > > SAMPLE LETTER > Dear Senator/Representative: > > Please support legislation that would create a constitutionally protected > Natural Resource and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund. The bill was approved > unanimously by the Senate Natural Resources Committee, and soon will be > eligible for debate in the Iowa Senate. > > It is critical that Iowa improve its water quality, provide natural areas > including parks and trails, protect fish and wildlife habitat and conserve > precious soils. > > A legislatively created bipartisan committee that includes Iowa's leading > agriculture, outdoor, wildlife, and natural resource advocates came > together > to unanimously recommend constitutionally dedicating 3/8 cent of the next > sales tax increase for Iowa's natural resources. > > Your support of this measure this year is critical. This is so important > to > Iowa and our future; and so important to me as an Iowan. > > Sincerely, > > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: > [log in to unmask] > > Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: > http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp