8/8/2019 2010 Michigan Legislative Candidate Questions
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2010 Michigan House/Senate Candidate Questionnaire
(Michigan OutofDoors Magazine will only publish Yes and No
responses. If the
candidate has a specific interest in, or comment on a particular
question, MUCC staff will
gladly discuss the issue with the candidate.)
Question 1:Support for Sound Scientific Management of Natural
Resources
Natural resource decisions are legacy issues. The impact of a
decision made today may not be
felt on the landscape for many years. With that in mind, in 1996
Michigan Voters
overwhelmingly supported Proposal G, which gave the Michigan
Natural ResourcesCommission the exclusive authority to regulate
game according to the principles of soundscientific management. The
reason for the proposal was to allow science to dictate the
management of Michigans wildlife resources, not emotional
appeals from those opposed to
hunting. Periodically, however, legislation is introduced that
would circumvent Proposal G,allowing the legislature to regulate
the taking of game.
Question: Will you oppose legislation that proposes to manage
game statutorily, which
would conflict with Proposal Gs science-based management
mandate? (Circle one)
YES NO
Question 2: Right to Bear Arms
MUCC and its members have long expressed strong support for gun
ownership and gun rights.The Supreme Court recently held that the
Second Amendment right to bear arms is a
fundamental right that cannot be circumvented by state and local
governments.
Question: If elected, will you work to uphold Michigan residents
gun rights? (Circle one)
YES NO
Question 3: Long-Term Funding
Michigans unfortunate economic downturn has led to significant
competition for limited
General Fund dollars among state agencies. The Michigan
Department of Natural
Resources and Environment has taken some of the hardest hits in
recent years, resultingin an unstable dependence on hunting and
fishing licenses, recreational fees and other
permit fees to conserve and enhance our states greatest asset
our natural resources.
Many feel that the current funding scheme is not sustainable,
nor wise considering thebenefit our natural resources contribute to
Michigans top industries. While many short
term solutions such as increased license fees or an access pass
program for non-
consumptive users have been proposed, most agree that a long
term solution is needed inorder to adequately protect our resources
from degradation and in turn enhance
Michigans potential to improve its rate of return from our
natural assets economically
and socially.
Question: Will you support a long-term funding plan for the
conservation and
enhancement of Michigans natural resources or participate in the
creation of a
long-term funding plan? (Circle one)
YES NO
Question 4: Hunter Recruitment and Retention
An unfortunate trend across the nation shows that our youths
spare time is filled withgames, computers, smart phones and extra
curricular schedules instead of quality ou
recreation. As recreation and time spent outside are becoming a
smaller part of the liv
todays young people, the health of Michigans youth are in danger
as well as the futuconservation and our outdoor traditions.
Michigans replacement rate for hunters falls
below a sustainable level. For every 100 hunters that stop
hunting in Michigan, there a
just 26 replacing them today, according to data from the
National Rifle Association.However, states like Ohio which allow
parents to decide what age their children are
to hunt recruit roughly three times as many young people into
hunting (76 for every
lost). Statistics also show that young hunters are safer than
adults when proper safety
instruction and mentorship is required.
States like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee, and Minnesota have
already taken the lead
improving hunter recruitment and retention. Michigan should do
the same by allowingparents to make their own decision about what
time is right to mentor their children ab
hunting, safety, and conservation ethics. This would not only
improve hunter recruitm
and retention in our state, but also create a more stable future
for our outdoor traditionmore kids outdoors, further instill
hunting safety and ethics in our youth, and contribu
more on-the-ground conservation of our states natural
resources.
Question: Would you support legislation that would direct the
Natural Resource
Commission to create a Mentored Youth Hunting Program with
minimum safety
requirements and arms-length parent/guardian supervision for
hunters less than
years while also eliminating Michigans minimum hunting age?
(Circle one)
YES NO
Question 5: Ballot Reform
Currently, a person or group may place a proposed amendment to
Michigans Constitution
ballot by simply gathering a set number of signatures,
regardless of where those signatures gathered. Many believe that
this gives an unfair advantage to ballot proponents who may hi
paid petitioners or those based in well-populated areas, which
frequently allows for the ado
of proposals viewed unfavorably by rural voters. In recent
elections, out-of-state anti huntingroups have paid for petition
collection in population-dense areas of the state. By
instituting
standards that require a more equitable geographical
distribution of petition signatures (i.e.,
state senate district or congressional district), voters would
be assured that any proposal pla
on the ballet has a more equitable level of statewide
support.
Question: Would you support a ballot referendum to establish
geographic distribution
requirements for petition signatures in voter initiatives?
(Circle one)
YES NO
