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<DOCID>Proposal_06.doc.txt</DOCID>
<AUTHOR>Jessica Bunke</AUTHOR>
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On November 7th, Michigan voters will choose whether or not to support Proposal 06-1. Proposal 06-1 states, if enacted, the Conservation and Recreation Legacy Fund would be established in the State Constitution to protect conservation and recreation funds for their intended purposes. Within the Legacy Fund, seventeen existing funds would act as accounts or sub-funds to support Department of Natural Resource programs. This proposal was placed on the ballot by a majority vote of the Michigan Legislature. 



Proposal 06-1 would rely on current funding sources such as state park entrance and camping fees; snowmobile, ORV and boating registration fees, and hunting and fishing license fees. It would not cause an increase to such fees, but it would not prevent a raise in costs that could occur in the future,nor would this proposal affect state taxes.



Campaigning for this proposal is a group called Citizens Supporting Proposal 06-1 led by Lt. Governor John Cherry, Co-Director with Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land. They believe that passing this amendment will help to ensure the protection of Michigans vast natural resources and long recreation heritage for generations to come.



According to Citizen Supporting Proposal 06-1, it is necessary for the amendment to pass to protect the funds, which come from users of recreational programs through fees, and used strictly for their designated program. Four past Governors and Legislatures had taken the conservation and recreational funds to help support another state program. During the 2002-2003 fiscal year, 7.8 million dollars was taken from the Waterways Fund and used for the States general budget.



The passing of Proposal 06-1will protect the usage of funds for the following purposes: Game and Fish Protection, Forest Recreation, Park Improvement, Recreation Improvement, Waterways, Off-Road Vehicle and Snowmobile Registration, Game and Fish Protection Trust Fund, and Nongame and Fish Protection Trust Fund.





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