The goal of the sportsmens groups was to get the fee rollback done as soon as possible to create a positive effect as for as many license buyers and users as we could. That is what drove the fees legislation. The earlier the better. December would have been perfect but the legislature is not in session. To suggest that the state was clever enough to optimize both ends of the buying spectrum is giving them too much credit. No one was giving them that kind of latitude, this fees reduction work went as fast as it could with all of the revisions, committee discussion, House vote, Senate vote, etc. Remember, they would have done nothing if they hadn't been pushed into this by the sportsmens groups. All of the license info is in the state's computer systems, processing a credit on account, which is easier than cutting checks for a rebate, is not rocket science and does not affect this year's budget. Therefore, it can be taken into account for the 2011 budget with an offset. Whether they will take that next step is unknown, I have not seen any kind of discussion on that topic from the state or in articles. But it could be a new initiative if enough are so motivated.
Msg sent to CCS Email list from Bob Crook last night:
FEES: Comments on many of the news sites, e-mail/calls to CCS relate mostly to reimbursement of previously paid fees. We sympathize, but those who bought licenses, other than those who ice fish, trappers, and January hunters, should have listened to their club officers, CCS, and sportsmen in the know, who were advising not to buy licenses until absolutely needed. The Legislature is always unpredictable and virtually anything can happen including a revisit of the fees. Be Positive: There is NO other group that got a fee reduction except for Parks (included in the bill). Please, be satisfied that the moderate fee increase was passed – a 35% increase is far better than 100%. There is NO way DEP could possibly refund fees due to cost and administrative requirements. CCS will not engage in modifying the bill that passed. We urge you to communicate with those legislators you wrote, called, e-mailed and THANK THEM for their support!
Hartford, Connecticut (WTNH) - Some fishermen are upset after the state lowered the fishing license fees after they had jacked them up.
Fishermen who bought their licenses in the past few months probably noticed that the price had doubled from last year. But then, just before the beginning of the freshwater fishing season, the price dropped dramatically.
“I paid $50 for the combination freshwater and saltwater,” said Patrick Davis of Seymour. “If I went now, it would be $32.”
The fees were increased last fall as the state tried to close the budget gap, but fishermen didn’t like being on the hook for all that extra money.
“Two years back it was $20 and you didn't need a saltwater license. Now I paid $50. That's a 150-percent markup there,” said Davis.
The hunting and fishing lobby was so strong, it got the legislature to pass a bill to lower the fees. Governor Rell signed it and it went into effect last week, just before fishing season began on Saturday. Some lucked out and got their licenses at the new, lower price.
"For the people who did buy it at the higher rate there should be some type of reimbursement down the road,” said Jamie Leffler of Southbury.
A spokesman for the DEP says he understands that some people feel like victims of a bait-and-switch, but that new law says nothing about reimbursements, and the DEP can only obey the law.
First, I'd like to thank those who paid the higher price as they help cover the expense of my free senior license. Second, thanks to all the sportsmen whose strong voices made this change happen. Third, thanks to the legislatures who actually heard those strong voices and finally acted rationally.
Now that we all have our licenses, regardless of the cost, let's get out and enjoy our fishing and hunting priveledges. Moaning and groaning is NOT enjoyable.
We understand your concerns over license fees and your desire for a refund or credit. The bill that was passed by the Legislature last week (House Bill 5545) lowered license fees for most hunting and fishing licenses but did not contain any refund provisions for sportsmen who had bought their 2010 licenses prior to passage of the bill. As such, the DEP cannot provide a refund or credit.
I’m sure this is disappointing news. However, it is important to recognize that the actions taken this past week by the Legislature and the Governor are to the benefit of all of Connecticut’s sportsmen. Anglers and hunters from all over the state worked diligently with elected officials to find a way to roll back sportsmen fees to a reasonable level. This was a very difficult task given the economy, the state’s budget deficit, and the fact that there are so many other state programs with legitimate fiscal needs. All along, the primary concern of sportsmen was that the fees be lowered to a level that young anglers and hunters and those on a limited budget could afford.
The passage of House Bill 5545 should be viewed as a huge success. License fees which had been doubled last October were rolled back to a reasonable 35% increase. The sportsmen’s primary goal of keeping fishing and hunting affordable was achieved and will benefit all anglers and hunters for years to come. I believe this is the first time hunting and fishing license fees have ever been reduced.
One requirement that people need to understand is that any bill reducing fees had to be revenue neutral (i.e. annual revenues from the bill had to match what was projected from the higher sportsmen fees). As such, any consideration of refunds was likely to result in either higher long-term fees or failure of the legislation. Both unacceptable outcomes.
Many people have also expressed concern that revenues from the sale of fishing and hunting license fees are going to the General Fund. While this is the case, it’s important that you know that both state and federal law requires that any monies collected from the sale of fishing or hunting licenses, tags, stamps or permits come back to the agency specifically for the administration of fish and wildlife programs.
In closing, I thank you for your comments and encourage you to consider the long-term benefits of the lower fees and to recognize the outstanding efforts of the sportsmen and elected officials who have made this possible.
#1204521 - 04/22/1001:58 AM
Re: CT Fishing Lic. have been reduced!!!
[Re: Mitch P.]
Paul D.
Lifetime Member
Registered: 04/15/02
Posts: 13037
Loc: South Central, CT
Evidently Economics 101 was not a prerequisite college course at any of the University attended by our elected officials. Jacking the fees was a slippery slope. Same license revenues, reduced consumptive users would (and has ) equals(ed) less taxed goods and service in the very near future. Sorry to , but it ain't "rocket science".
To protest the none credit, non -refund policy, I will be doing a business on a cash basis for the remained of the year,
To all of our overly intelligent elected officials that shafted us again:
#1204711 - 04/22/1008:46 PM
Re: CT Fishing Lic. have been reduced!!!
[Re: Mitch P.]
BHansenSFD
Member
Registered: 08/08/05
Posts: 820
Loc: North Haven, CT
Quote:
Many people have also expressed concern that revenues from the sale of fishing and hunting license fees are going to the General Fund. While this is the case, it’s important that you know that both state and federal law requires that any monies collected from the sale of fishing or hunting licenses, tags, stamps or permits come back to the agency specifically for the administration of fish and wildlife programs.
If this is the case why does the money go to the general fund and not directly to the DEP? Will this money be used by the DEP or is this just BS???
There is a reason they call it fishing and not catching!
, but it ain't "rocket science".
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