McDowell Sonoran Conservancy Advocacy Alert

[Sredfield]

MSC Opposes Proposition 301! Say "No!" to Legislative Sweep of the Land Conservation Fund.
Just like all Arizonans, we're concerned about our state's budget. However, the Legislature has proposed sweeping the Land Conservation Fund established by voters in 1998 to support the acquisition of State Land for conservation into the General Fund to reduce our state's deficit. Using these funds, also known as "Growing Smarter" funds, for deficit reduction badly undermines the ability of cities, towns, counties and non-profit organizations to preserve precious and threatened State Land - like much of the state land the City of Scottsdale will acquire within the Recommended Study Boundary of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Don't let our state legislature sacrifice our long term vision of conserving precious places in Arizona and one-third of Scottsdale to provide a short term fix for the state's budget woes. Please vote NO on Proposition 301.

What is Proposition 301? Prop 301 was referred to the ballot by the Arizona Legislature in order to raid a voter-protected fund for land conservation and sweep it into the General Fund, where the Legislature will determine how it is used.

What is the Land Conservation Fund? The Land Conservation Fund was established by the voters in 1998. This fund provides a match for communities to acquire State Trust Lands for conservation, including lands that are part of Pima County's Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan, the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve, the Flagstaff Open Space Plan, and more.

Why should I vote no? By diverting dollars from the Land Conservation Fund, the Arizona Legislature hurts both conservation efforts and education, which is why teachers and conservationists alike are opposing it. Dollars from the Land Conservation Fund benefit the Trust, and the primary beneficiary is public education.

Please vote NO on Proposition 301!


McDowell Sonoran Conservancy
16435 N. Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, Arizona 85254

[azbackpackr]

Thank you for posting this one!