Arguing that they are bad for small business, 79th State House District challenger Jacquie Gnodtke-Blackwell contends that State Rep Pauline Wendzel’s commercial fishing bills being considered this week in a senate committee “would, in effect, smother these small businesses causing Michigan restaurants and consumers to import fish from Canada with added tariffs.”
Gnodtke-Blackwell says, “These bills go against small business by increasing fees, (ie: taxes) regulations and nanny state demands on the last remaining 13 family-owned commercial fishing businesses in Michigan,” and adds, “The plight of these fishing operations will have a negative ripple effect on restaurants, fish markets and grocery stores.”
For her part, Wendzel responds, by saying, “My legislation is supported by charter boat captains, small businesses, and local governments, including St. Joseph City, that recognize the importance of protecting and preserving Michigan’s sportfishing industry and the jobs it supports,” adding, “Right here in Southwest Michigan, 174,163 anglers spent $157.6 million on recreational fishing. When I was elected, I made a promise to always put our community and jobs in Berrien County Michigan first ahead of special interest groups.”
When asked about the concerns of commercial fishers, the DNR said they can keep doing what they are doing. Seth Herbst, DNR Regulatory Affairs Manager, says, “There’s nothing in these bills that would negatively influence or really change from status quo the whitefish fishery we have in the Great Lakes water today.”
The Michigan United Conservation Clubs has also added its voice of support for the commercial fishing legislation sponsored by Rep. Wendzel. Here’s a link to the testimony from 5 sportfishing organizations in support of this bill package: MUCCFishingBillTestimony The organization believes the legislation is “timely, well-researched, and will help protect the thousands of small and large businesses around the Great Lakes whose livelihood is supported by sportfishing and associated recreation/tourism spending.”
Amy Trotter, Executive Director of the MUCC says, “Modernizing decades-old law is an important first step in protecting the game fish that recreational anglers have paid to recover,” and adds, “Hunter and angler dollars fund the bulk of fisheries management in our state, and we will not stand for subsidizing the commercial industry.”
Wendzel says, “The following link will take you to 34-pages of testimony from Michigan businesses, organizations, local governments, and chambers of commerce that support my legislation.” Here’s the link: WendzelFishingBillTestimonyDocument
Wendzel’s commercial fishing bills are on the agenda of the Michigan Senate Committee on Natural Resources this Wednesday, July 22nd. Her challengers in the August primary also contends, “If passed by the Senate these bills would cause fresh fish to be at least a day older,” in the marketplace, adding, “This is not sensible legislation and needs to be stopped especially in light of businesses that are struggling and closing down.”
She also points out that Wendzel’s fellow Republican State Rep. Brad Paquette from Niles voted against the commercial fishing bill.
At the same time Gnodtke-Blackwell reports that she has joined Paquette in signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, and that the Americans for Tax Reform has accepted her signed pledge, noting, “COVID-19 is calling for a complete overhaul of the way we budget and fund programs. The 101st legislature will need to be creative for the challenge ahead of us – and be willing to re-think budget priorities. I believe that by eliminating waste, fraud and the abuse of our resources, we will have a budget to work with. In addition, residents are struggling with their own losses of income. Therefore, I do not see a need to raise taxes.”
She further states, “I am honored to sign the Taxpayer protection pledge. As a member of the Michigan House of Representatives, I will oppose all efforts to increase taxes on families and small business, and look for sustainable solutions to alleviate as much burden on small businesses as possible; ie: reducing the cost of doing business. I will protect the economic gains our state has made and will build on these gains by continuing to cut regulations and keep taxes low.”
