HB 419 hits a bump
No one was as surprised as myself, Bill Martin and the bill’s sponsor Charlie Hoffman when two men who identified themselves as private citizens showed up at the Senate Natural Resources Committee to speak against the Land Stewardship bill. What was the gist of their problem? It seems that they were opposed to using tax dollars to purchase private land. I guess they’ve never stayed at a state park or fished in a reservoir. One of the men actually alluded to the bill being a tool promoted by the United Nations to take private land away. As crazy as it may sound, these objections teamed with the absence of two key Senators and some long held resentments against the PACE program ( Senators Tapp and Leeper) was enough to get the bill ” laid on the table”. This means that it can be brought up and voted on again at a later date, but is never a good sign for a piece of legislation. I find it disturbing that the work of the Land Stewardship Task force over almost four years could be subverted in this manner. I urge all of you to email or call the members of the Senate Natural Resources Committee and voice your support for the protection of what’s left of Kentucky’s unique natural areas and for the future of outdoor activities in our fair state. The number to leave a message for the committee members is: 800-372-7181, you can also call 502-564-8100 and ask for the legislator by name. If you cannot get them personally you can leave a message with their staff. We need everyone’s help on this! Thanks.