CT license cost increase

Anglers will shell out more for licenses




Posted on 09/02/2009


By **** ALLEY

Hour Fishing Columnist


The new state budget has passed and with it will come astronomical increases for hunting and fishing licenses.

Under the new budget, a combination hunting and fishing license will jump from the current $28 to $56. Those who only hunt will see the current $14 fee double to $28. For fresh-water anglers, the cost of a license will go from the current $20 to $40 and the cost of one of those new salt-water licenses will triple from the current $10 to $30.

Once again our legislators are picking on poor people. Fishing has always been a sport that attracted those who could not afford many other sports. It has also been a family sport, along with camping. Family fishing will take a big hit when the kids reach the licensing age of 16.

Let's consider the average family of husband wife and two kids in their mid-teens. The cost of inland fishing licenses for all four will now total $160. If they decide to include a trip to the beach, add another $120 for four salt-water licenses. That's money the economy will never see.

Who knows where the politicians will spend it? There is supposed to be a window in the legislative process that allows for the passage of implementer bills. Now is the time to contact your legislators to protest this abomination they call a budget. Otherwise the bill becomes effective on October 1.


http://www.thehour.com/story/474295

How exactly did this just happen? I am from NY and am keeping track of our proposed Marine License.

This is the first I am hearing of this and it is an outrage. You guys from CT
really ought to be getting on your Legislatures and Senators about this. F'in ridiculous.

Rell veto halts $50 million in fee increases


By JAMES MOSHER
Norwich Bulletin
Posted Sep 30, 2009 @ 11:44 PM

Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s decision to veto a bill that would have raised state fees by about $50 million is a temporary port in a storm, one local business owner said.

“Businesses are getting it worse and worse,” said **** Thayer, owner of Thayer’s Marine & R.V. in Norwich. “My business isn’t doing very well now. Add more fees and guess what will happen.”

Rell, a Republican, on Friday said she found it “incredible” the Democratic-dominated General Assembly was trying to boost fees less than a month after passing a $37.6 billion budget that included $1 billion in fee and tax increases. Leading Democrats said the $50 million in increases are necessary to cover rail subsidies and programs the governor and legislators agreed weeks ago needed funding. General Assembly leaders decided to defer action on remaining budget bills until this week.

While the fee increases will not go into effect as planned, the state’s cigarette tax today will rise to $3 per pack from $2. There also will be a nickel deposit added to each bottle of water sold in Connecticut beginning today as the state’s bottle bill is expanded.

Among the fee increases that would have taken effect today without Rell’s veto were boosts in marriage and death certificate copies to $20 from $10. Replacement certificate filings for a notary would have gone to $15 from $1.

Fishing, hunting fees

A super-sport license, which includes fishing and some forms of hunting, would have climbed to $116, twice the existing fee.

More expensive fishing licenses would have further dampened demand at boat service companies like Thayer’s Marine, **** Thayer said.

“It’s not good, not good at all,” he said. “Sportsmen are really getting hit hard.”

But the state Department of Environmental Protection, which oversees state parks, views increasing fees as giving it more resources for outdoors activities. It derives its budget from Connecticut’s general fund.

“We appreciate the support of the governor and the Legislature in keeping up state parks during these difficult economic times,” spokesman Dennis Schain said. “We expect to get good funding from the general fund.”

Stop ‘wasteful projects’

Government on all levels would be more helpful by weeding out what Thayer calls “wasteful projects.” He called a planned Norwich transportation center one such project, adding that he sees it as a “direct threat” to his 43-year-old family business that employs 18 people.

“They’re going to leave me with no parking and I’ll be out of business,” Thayer said. “It’s unnecessary. There are already parking garages in the city that aren’t being used.”

Thayer said he’s looking to relocate his headquarters to Preston, but finding land at an affordable price has proven difficult.

The Falls Avenue boat center owner’s lament echoes concerns about Connecticut’s business climate voiced by state Rep. Christopher Coutu, R-Norwich, and others. High-profile recent events, such as jet engine maker Pratt & Whitney’s decision to cut 1,000 jobs and the Connecticut Defenders move to Virginia, add to a downward trend in business survival at least two decades old.

The boat industry in Connecticut and elsewhere is going through a period of contraction, Thayer said. The June Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing of Genmar Holdings Inc., one of the largest recreational boat manufacturers, is part of the trend.

“We’re getting killed and it’s not getting any better,” Thayer said.

Our fees are out of control here in CT. At least one Rep. wants to see it reversed.


December 22, 2009

REP. HURLBURT CALLS FOR ROLLBACK OF HUNTING & FISHING LICENSE FEES

State Representative Bryan Hurlburt, who represents Ashford, Tolland and Willington in the Connecticut General Assembly, is calling for a rollback of last year’s 100% increase of fees charged by the Department of Environmental Protection for hunting and fishing licenses.
Hurlburt said the fees were doubled as a way to help close the state budget deficit, but that an outcry from residents has convinced him the increase places an unfair burden on sportsmen.
“Everybody is feeling the pain of this economy and everyone is being asked to share the burden of their state’s budget deficit, but the bull’s-eye on the sportsmen is a bit too severe,” said Hurlburt, who serves as Vice-chair of the Legislature’s Environment Committee. “I can support a reasonable increase, but a doubling of these fees is way too much.”
Approximately 180,000 Connecticut residents pay these fees each year. Doubling of the fees is estimated to generate an extra $4.3 million for the state. For example, on October 1 a resident firearms hunting license went from $14 to $28 and a resident inland waters sport fishing license jumped to $40 from $20.
Hurlburt wants the 100% increase on hunting and fishing licenses to be rolled back to only 20%. He is also suggesting some adjustments in certain motor vehicle infractions, such as raising fines for seat belt violations from $15-$25, to make up for the lost state revenue from the rollback. Seat belt tickets have not been increased since 1985.
Rep. Hurlburt is serving his second term in the state legislature representing the 53rd Assembly District. In addition to Vice-Chair of the Environment Committee, he also sits on the Judiciary and Higher Education Committees.

http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Hurlburt...-09.asp#122209

Fisheries Licenses and Permits

Inland Fishing Licenses | Marine Fishing Licenses | Fishing Permits

NOTICE!! Please be aware that as of October 1, 2009, pursuant to the recently adopted state budget, all inland and marine fishing fees have increased. This includes both recreational and commercial fees. Application forms are being updated to reflect the new fees.

Inland Fishing Licenses are required for anyone 16 years of age or older fishing in the Inland District. Licenses are issued on a calendar year basis and expire on December 31st.

License TypeFee
(as of 10/1/09)Where to PurchaseResident Inland Fishing$40.00 - Online Sportsmen Licensing System
- Participating Town Halls
- Designated vendor (tackle shop)
- DEP Offices
- DEP Store
- By phone at 860-424-3700 (DEP Store)
Resident Inland Fishing and Small Game Firearms Hunting$56.00 - Online Sportsmen Licensing System
- Participating Town Halls
- Designated vendor (tackle shop)
- DEP Offices
- DEP Store
- (Not available by phone)

Resident Senior Citizen (65 and older) - Inland FishingFree (Requires Annual Renewal) - Online Sportsmen Licensing
- Participating Town Halls
- DEP Offices
Nonresident Season-Inland Fishing$80.00 - Online Sportsmen Licensing System
- Participating Town Halls
- Designated vendor (tackle shop)
- DEP Offices
- DEP Store
- By phone at 860-424-3700 (DEP Store)

Nonresident Three Day Inland Fishing$32.00 - Online Sportsmen Licensing System
- Participating Town Halls
- Designated vendor (tackle shop)
- DEP Offices
- DEP Store
- By phone at 860-424-3700 (DEP Store)

Nonresident Inland Fishing and Small Game Firearms Hunting $176.00 - Online Sportsmen Licensing System
- Participating Town Halls
- Designated vendor (tackle shop)
- DEP Offices
- DEP Store
- (Not available by phone)

Armed Forces Members* Inland Fishing$40.00 - Participating Town Halls
- DEP Offices
- DEP Store
- By phone at 860-424-3700 (DEP Store)


Armed Forces Members* Inland Fishing and Small Game Firearms Hunting$56.00 - Participating Town Halls
- DEP Offices
- DEP Store
Mentally Retarded or Blind** - Inland FishingFree - Participating Town Halls
- DEP Offices
- DEP StoreDisabled Persons*** - Inland FishingFree - Participating Town Halls
- DEP Offices
- DEP StoreDisabled Persons - Inland Fishing and Small Game Firearms HuntingFree - Participating Town Halls
- DEP Offices
- DEP Store