The thorny problem of who will pay the $4 million to close down the Ohio commercial industry appears to have been solved. McGregor says it has been a good year for Ohio, which has taken in $35 million more than expected. Taft and Speaker of the House Jon Husted are comfortable with using general revenue funds to buy out the trap net fishermen. Ohio's gill net industry was eliminated in 1982.
"The Division of Wildlife and sportsmen's funds should not have to pay for the buyout," said McGregor. He said it will improve sportfishing and benefit Ohio's tourism industry along Lake Erie. Taft said the Lake Erie counties attract one of three tourists visiting Ohio.
http://www.cleveland.com/sports/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1151570554122510.xml&coll=2
Posted by Dave at June 30, 2006 09:21 AM