
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, January 24, 1994                   TAG: 9402230001
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                 LENGTH: Short

SPORTSMEN TOLD TO CALL GOVERNOR

State wildlife officials are asking outdoor sportsmen to use a toll-free constituent phone number (1-800-889-0229) to support legislation that would redirect the boat titling tax from the general fund to the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries motorboat fund.

``Passage of this legislation will provide approximately $2.5 million a year, phased in over a four-year period, to increase boating safety, replace equipment and improve maintenance of existing boat ramps,'' said Walter Conrad, board chairman of the game department.

With a significant portion of the fees paid by boaters going into the general fund, the state's boating program has a $2 million shortfall that is made up with funds from hunting and fishing license fees, Conrad said.

In a letter to organized sportsmen, Conrad said it is most effective to correspond directly with elected officials, but the new toll-free number is one way of leaving a message for the governor and state legislators.

Legislation to redirect the boat tax fund was introduced by Vic Thomas of Roanoke.

Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1994

by CNB