| Bernard -- I want to give a HUGE THANK YOU to all of the good people who took time out of their busy lives to travel to the statehouse to attend our Legislative Mixer last night. It was a success, we more than filled the cafeteria, we were able to mingle with friendly legislators and friends while enjoying some good food, drinks and a fun raffle.
I'd like to ESPECIALLY thank those who attended who also engaged their legislators on the things that are of concern to sportspeople. It is these interactions that make the most difference - thank you.
The combination of large numbers of well-mannered sportspeople showing up AND people showing up specifically to speak with their legislators, is a major force for changing minds.
We still have work ahead of us on S.258 and Salisbury NOW (see below), and we are expecting H.561 (Ban guns at polling places; mandatory reporting of stolen/lost guns) to begin moving in House Judiciary. We have moved the needle a bit by having sportspeople line-up to testify, but more - many more - are needed. Senators Bray (Chair), McCormack and MacDonald all appear to want this bill as they apparently disagree that what was delivered met legislative intent - even though the process went through the F&W Department and F&W Board after over a year of development.
We vehemently oppose this change, it is unnecessary, and it will not stop those folks who want nothing less than to ban this or that. VTFSC's testimony on this bill can be seen here. This is urgent: Please Take Action! now on this issue, and then get one or more of your friends to do it. Staying silent doesn't help, we especially need you to speak with your Senator(s). Salisbury As previously reported, the Administration has suggested to cut the Salisbury Fish Hatchery from the budget, and we cannot allow this to occur as this action is fraught with unknowns and WILL negatively impact the $39.6 Million which the state receives through tourism dollars generated from fishing alone. For every $1 we spend on our Fish Culture stations, we receive $23 back from tourism, and the loss of those tourism dollars effects every business that depends on tourism.
More information on why we need to save Salisbury can be found here. Please, this is also critical, take a moment to use our Take Action! page to tell your Senator(s), Representative(s) and the House Appropriations committee that Salisbury Must Be Saved.
If you have already done it; do it again! S.209 has today been passed by Senate Judiciary on a 4-1 vote after several minor amendments; this will go to the Senate floor next week. Despite our best efforts, and even with bringing in Henry Parro - the committee may have listened - but they did not hear us. We will continue to fight this bad bill. Lawsuit The state filed their opposition to our request for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on the Mag Ban and Waiting Period today. Most of what was submitted are Declaration statements by various "experts", and I find humor in the lengths they go to try to defend the indefensible.
Our legal team will be responding by March 6 on the TRO, and we then expect a hearing in early to mid April. Subsequent to the hearing, the judge will then consider the arguments, and then render a decision on the TRO.
As for the full Court Challenge, we are currently expecting our trail to be in the July 24 time frame. Donations can be made online though VTFSC's website located at www.vtfsc.org, or through the mail by sending a check to: VTFSC Defense Fund
14 Stafford Ave
Morrisville, VT 05661-8514 Thank you for supporting the VTFSC in fighting for our Freedom and Rights, and stay tuned for more updates. Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs
https://www.vtfsc.com/ | 
