Game & Fish Budget Sweeps Please contact your legislators and the governor   The Legislature and Governor's Office swept $7,560,695 from AZ Game & Fish to balance the 2008 budget deficit. Another $5.6 million was taken from State Lake Improvement and Off Highway Vehicle funds from State Parks. Negotiations between the Legislature and the Governor's Office are occurring as we speak to address the projected $2.2 billion budget shortfall for 2009. AZ G&F is again being considered for more funding sweeps. Did you know some agencies were not swept or only minimally affected and others appeared to have actually received net increases? The difference between the AZ Game & Fish department and other state agencies is the manner in which it is funded. AZ G&F does not receive one penny of general fund revenues. Sportsmen and women tax themselves to fund the G&F department, so one could argue this is actually double taxation and flat out wrong. It's time for sportsmen and women to stand up and say "no more AZ G&F fund sweeps". Please call and email your legislators and the Governor today! Don't wait, time is of the essence. Remember to be Respectful and Courteous. Talking Points: I am a member of your Legislative District, one of approximately half a million active Sportsmen in Arizona Please do not sweep AZ Game & Fish Department Funds – they are not general fund monies General Fund Agencies should be held accountable and not rewarded by stealing wildlife dollars Sportsmen and women have asked the Legislature to impose fee increases numerous times in order to provide the AGFD with the money necessary to conserve Arizona's wildlife and its habitat. Wildlife dollars should be used for the purpose for which they are earmarked.   How To Find Your Legislators If you know your legislators, ...go to the Arizona State Legistative roster If you do not know your legislators: To find the Legislative District in which you live, enter your address and 5 digit ZIP CODE in the top right corner on the linked page ... find your District Return to the Arizona State Legistator member list ... find your Legistative members Contact the Governor at 602-542-4331 or email the Govenor at azgov@az.gov