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<br />This is the highest priority for the Department of Natural <br /> <br />Resources. Russell George and I have shared this concept for <br /> <br />some time and we think this will help us address some of the <br /> <br />concerns. <br /> <br />I argued here at this mlC In opposition to Referendum A, <br /> <br />and my opposition was because we didn't need more money to <br /> <br />borrow. We needed some real dollars to assist entities In <br /> <br />getting through their permitting and feasibility and this will <br /> <br />help us do that. And I would ask for an aye vote. <br /> <br />Chairperson Fitz-Gerald: Senator McElhany? <br /> <br />Senator Andy McElhany: Thank you, Madame Chairman. <br /> <br />I've got--Senator Isgar and colleagues, I've got some real <br /> <br />concerns with this bill. <br /> <br />First of all, I think there are a lot of similarities <br /> <br />between this bill and Referendum A. <br /> <br />The difference is, of <br /> <br />course, that there's no bonding in it but--and it's a smaller <br /> <br />amount of money. But, what it does is it takes $10 million, <br /> <br />sends it over to DNR without specifying any project, specifying <br /> <br />where the money is going to go. <br /> <br />To me, that--it flies in the face of governmental <br /> <br />budgeting, or at least sound governmental budgeting. I <br /> <br />understand that there's a need for these small projects. <br /> <br />There's a need for feasibility studies, environmental impact <br /> <br />statements, all that kind of thing. <br /> <br />- 7 - <br />