Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I Have never been to west Texas to herp (Brewster,Val Verde,Jeff Davis,Presidio and surrounding counties). The closest I have come is driving on I-10 through Fort Stockton on my way to San Antonio Or I-20 towards Dallas on route to Waco. I could come up with the 40K needed, But for what?? To pay someone 10,000 an hour to stop a bill that shouldn't even be in existence, A bill that some pin head,dark alley lurking, head up hisbutt politician snuck in under the radar for what ever personal agenda he is on. I would want an itemized account and plan of what a lobbist would do for a 40,000 fee. And what if he is unsuccessful?? We're not talking rocket science here 40K for a little interference is a little to much by at least 30K. If I lived there in west Texas and this bill passed as it is I figure that I could pay a lot of fines with 40K. And that is only if I was cited and then lost in court when I challenged and appealed. Just 2 my cents Jack .

that's all we know for sure we get. But as far as I know we have tabled the idea of 40K killer in hopes that we can kill the bill the old fashioned way, phone calls, reason, information, etc.

Likely we will be dealing with this issue again in the near future should we be fortunate enough to dodge this bullet.

We absolutely need organization, money in reserves to the tune of thousands of dollars, and a voice in Austin anytime the Texas Legislators are in session. See Gerold's Post.

Let's not forget that our Congressmen (and women) work all year round and the time to really get their ear is NOT when in session, but almost any other time.

Lastly we need someone just like Troy Hibbitts to represent us to Texas Parks & Wildlife to HELP both sides resolve issues which may or may not require additional legislation. It would be nice to know ahead of time that we have a problem (anywhere for example) and that we need to do (anything for example).

There is no doubt in my mind that the majority of us are as conservation minded as any State agency. Now is the time that we need to prove that. Just because we nudge most of the snakes off the road we don't want to lose the privilege of keeping one or two if we so desire.

I think your lobbyist is simply an exhortionist trying to shake down a bunch of political "rookies". What's he going to do........grease some palms with your hardearned money, buy some votes, call in a couple of favors, etc. It's pretty sad to see that this is how the business of POLITICKS is played these days.

I like the track that a previous poster brought up......a citizen would not be allowed to touch a reptile, even venomous, that was found on the utility easement(public right of way) that everyone has in their yards. This would legally be a scenario resulting from the passage of this bill. You need to hammer this point home to any legislator that will listen. You need to remember that most people don't like snakes, and most people would not care to find that a rattler has just found "sanctuary" coiled by their power pole. You need to cite examples such as this to demonstrate how poorly thought out this bill is, get it to a committee for further study, where hopefully if will at least die temporarily. I don't think you need some money-grubbing lobbyist for this!

well he aint my lobbyist, I've never met or spoke to the man and from what I'm hearing from other sources that price was way out of line.

Now back to what I said earlier. We are making progress the old fashioned way. Everyone keep your money in your pocket for the time being.

www.bugsinthenews.com
Todd Hughes

There is a site where Texans send in photos to a herper for id...bug someting can't recall, I will try to find it, lots of real Texans,some head choppers, a lot of other folks just curious and glad to have it id'ed and seems they like learning about 'em
Todd Hughes