Proposal to hike
fishing, hunting fees
Updated: Thursday, 19 Feb 2009, 11:14 PM EST
Published : Thursday, 19 Feb 2009, 10:44 PM EST
Story by: Jamie Muro
(WTNH) - Outdoor sporting enthusiasts may soon find themselves digging deeper to enjoy those activities. There is talk of raising the hunting and fishing fees.
Fishing fees could double. Hunting licenses could double. You may now have to pay to put a line in the Long Island Sound. It's not official yet, but already people are upset. But, the Governor's office defends the idea, saying raising the cost of enjoying the outdoors is a necessity in the broad-reaching recession.
If you are looking for a memorable fish story, look no further than Dee's Bait and Tackle in New Haven. There is a wall full of them. The latest story swimming around Pete DeGregorio's 50-year-old shop is Governor Rell's proposal to double what you pay for a fishing license, from $20 to $40.
"In a time, in our history, like the Great Depression, people are struggling. She said, 'I'm not going to raise taxes, I'm going to cut spending.' What's she do? She wants to double the license fees," Pete said.
It doesn't stop there. Another idea floating around is to charge anglers a $30 saltwater marine fee to fish in the Long Island Sound. Right now, it costs nothing. An all-water license would be $50.
Pete said you have to think about "trickle-down economics." If no one buys a license, no one is buying a rod, a reel, tackle -- which means no sales tax.
"In the freshwater, if they want to put that up to $40, that's ridiculous. You know, if they're going to do that, they have to stock more trout then."
The price-hike hook hasn't sunk in just yet, afterall, it's just a proposal. For Pete, he hopes it's just another fish tale, one that won't go up on this wall. A tale he's glad his father, the founder of this historic shop, never had to hear.
A spokesperson for the Governor's office said while they understand the concern of many anglers, the state is facing a multi-billion dollar defecit. He adds that Governor Rell is trying to ensure taxes aren't raised. But because of the economic climate, user-fees, like payment for a fishing license, are one method to address the budget shortfall.
He concluded that many of the fees in the proposal have not been raised since the early 1990's.
fishing, hunting fees
Updated: Thursday, 19 Feb 2009, 11:14 PM EST
Published : Thursday, 19 Feb 2009, 10:44 PM EST
Story by: Jamie Muro
(WTNH) - Outdoor sporting enthusiasts may soon find themselves digging deeper to enjoy those activities. There is talk of raising the hunting and fishing fees.
Fishing fees could double. Hunting licenses could double. You may now have to pay to put a line in the Long Island Sound. It's not official yet, but already people are upset. But, the Governor's office defends the idea, saying raising the cost of enjoying the outdoors is a necessity in the broad-reaching recession.
If you are looking for a memorable fish story, look no further than Dee's Bait and Tackle in New Haven. There is a wall full of them. The latest story swimming around Pete DeGregorio's 50-year-old shop is Governor Rell's proposal to double what you pay for a fishing license, from $20 to $40.
"In a time, in our history, like the Great Depression, people are struggling. She said, 'I'm not going to raise taxes, I'm going to cut spending.' What's she do? She wants to double the license fees," Pete said.
It doesn't stop there. Another idea floating around is to charge anglers a $30 saltwater marine fee to fish in the Long Island Sound. Right now, it costs nothing. An all-water license would be $50.
Pete said you have to think about "trickle-down economics." If no one buys a license, no one is buying a rod, a reel, tackle -- which means no sales tax.
"In the freshwater, if they want to put that up to $40, that's ridiculous. You know, if they're going to do that, they have to stock more trout then."
The price-hike hook hasn't sunk in just yet, afterall, it's just a proposal. For Pete, he hopes it's just another fish tale, one that won't go up on this wall. A tale he's glad his father, the founder of this historic shop, never had to hear.
A spokesperson for the Governor's office said while they understand the concern of many anglers, the state is facing a multi-billion dollar defecit. He adds that Governor Rell is trying to ensure taxes aren't raised. But because of the economic climate, user-fees, like payment for a fishing license, are one method to address the budget shortfall.
He concluded that many of the fees in the proposal have not been raised since the early 1990's.