Division of Wildlife seeks to be run like a business

Division of Wildlife seeks to be run like a business

Mar. 17, 2001

Capitol Report
By Senator Jim Dyer

Over the years I've often heard from constituents that we should run government like a business. If we did I don't believe there would be a post office in Hesperus or Redvale or Bedrock. But we do. And I believe that it is important that we do because there is a need for these services in these hamlets even if it does not make strict economic sense.

But, I also believe that we should always be aware of opportunities to put governmental operations on a more business-like footing.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife presents such an opportunity and HB-1012 would make it so. I'm the Senate sponsor of the bill and presented it to the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee last Wednesday. The large third floor committee room was crammed with 70-some advocates, staffers, journalists, lobbyists, and the usual array of idle curious who could likely find a more productive use of their time.

This legislation would change the status of the DOW to that of an "enterprise" and thus would remove it from from TABOR budgetary restrictions. Other state agencies so designated are the State Fair Authority and State Lottery Division.

As it is now, when DOW increases revenues another agency must be cut; under HB-1012 the Division would in fact operate as a business albeit government-owned. There would be flexibility for their cash reserves, but they still would have to come to the legislature to raise license fees.

One hazzard in all this is, in large measure, the credibility and popularity among legislators of former House Speaker and current Director of DOW Russell George propels the legislation forward. If one of his successors is less astute...

The bill passed 8-0 and is on the calendar for floor debate.

That same committee room was likewise crammed last Thursday. Only this time the crowd was divided into a group of Palestinians and members of the Jewish community. Also an armed state trooper was very much in evidence.

At issue was SJR-10 "Concerning Violence in the Middle East." Please don't ask the obvious question about why the Colorado State General Assembly is dabbling in international diplomacy. Any member can author a resolution (these don't have the force of law) on nearly any subject at any time. And this SJR proves it.

The resolution was a lopsided endorsement of the Israelies point of view in the current cycle of rock throwing and rubber bullets and death. I amended it to be, I believe, more balanced. But I can only regret that we would get involved in this issue and put the raw emotions and unyielding stance of both sides on display while the business of the state languished.

HB-1351 by my friend and colleague Rep. Mark Larson is titled "Concerning the Revocation of Colorado Driving Privileges After Revocation of Tribal Driving Privileges Under Tribal Law." This bill is a "condition precedent" to the implementation of an intergovernmental agreement between the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the state.

Previously, Native Americans who had serious motor vehicle offenses south of the Ute Line would not have their Colorado driver's license revoked because of tribal sovereignty issues. These issues have been resolved. The practical effect is that the administrative revocation of the Colorado license would be triggered by final order of revocation under the tribal code. Safer highways and less litigation are other practical effects. The bill is heading for passage on the Senate floor.

My three oil and gas bills will be voted up or down this week. Also this week SB-148 by Sen Ed Perlmutter D. Wheatridge will be debated on the Senate floor. This is a 79-page tome "Concerning Growth Management in Colorado." There will be a number of amendments; I'll be wary of the bill's effect on our rural part of the state. This bill will be tortured and twisted until it lands in a conference committee in late April.

Please use my jdyer@sni.net for e-mail.