ANY CONNECTICUT HUNTERS/SPORTSMEN OUT THERE?
02-19-2009, 04:20 PM
#1
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
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Posts: 819
ANY CONNECTICUT HUNTERS/SPORTSMEN OUT THERE?
Correction: We sent & had on our website the wrong date for the Northwest CT Sportsmen’s Council Banquet. It is on Friday night February 27th. Not the 28th.
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H. B. No. 6371 Doubles most licenses/fees, Eliminates the Conservation Fund with Special Fund revenues (Boating, Motorboat Fuel Tax, others) going to the General Fund (GF ). See Sec. 3, Boat Registration; Sec. 48-Sec. 72, Hunting, Fishing, Trapping, All-Waters/Combinations (NEW), NWCO, Tags, more; Sec 95, Licenses/Fed Funding.
Testimony today.
COALITION OF CONNECTICUT SPORTSMEN
P.O. Box 2506, Hartford, CT 06146, (203) 245-8076
www.ctsportsmen.com [email protected]
Testimony presented to the ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE, February 18, 2009
IN OPPOSITION to H. B. No. 6371 AN ACT CONCERNING FUNDING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
By Robert T. Crook, Director
We don’t know who wrote this bill, but obviously there was little understanding of how the DEP is structured. Doubling virtually all licenses and fees may have some validity in this budget crisis, but one has to differentiate between the Environmental Quality (EQ) Branch (Regulatory, Enforcement) and Environmental Conservation (EC) Branch (Public Recreation: Hunting, Fishing, Parks). The impact of this proposal on the public is substantially different considering the missions of the two branches. Without separate evaluation of the two, this bill will have tremendous impact on Sportsmen, other public Recreationalists, tourism, and associated business revenue. We believe this doubled increase will not generate the anticipated amount or may lose revenue due to attrition when participation in all fee-paid outdoor activities is currently decreasing.
Doubling Sportsmen Fees is Outrageous! Fee increases have always attempted to be compatible with regional states. A perusal of the attached regional fee schedule of License/Tag fees demonstrates CT will be far above the norm. The 40% increase in license and permit fees 7 years ago resulted in a 5 to 8% reduction in license sales; the proposed 100% increase will result in much greater attrition in a time when both Fishing and Hunting participants are already decreasing. The proposed fees will eliminate any non-resident license purchases. Any proposal for license and fee increases that are not the result of DEP recommendations in consultation with the sporting community, and in balance with adjoining states must be rejected.
We reject eliminating the Environmental Conservation Fund and all Special Funds including the Boating Fund, Motorboat Fuel Tax Fund, and transfer of these funds to the General Fund. The Conservation Fund has allowed DEP expertise to address overall program management and critical problems expeditiously rather than relying on inflexible General Funding determined by the Legislature/Administration. While we deplore the non-General Fund positions that cost these funds 100 + 62% fringe benefits; the return through user input, coordination, and DEP accomplishment offset the increased manpower costs.
We’re told the Pheasant program is eliminated and DEP did not request elimination. The Pheasant Program is entirely funded by pheasant hunters in CT-No State funds are used to support the program. There is no rational or financial reason for elimination. In fact, elimination of the pheasant program will result in a further loss of license sales. We reject any proposal to eliminate the CT DEP Pheasant Program.
NEW FEES-Ends of the Spectrum: For a resident parent to take his >16 year-old fishing trout for a few days it will cost each $40. Saltwater each $30. For the avid sportsman, a combination Supersport All Waters & Firearms + Deer (Private land) Permit & Turkey (Spring Private land) Permit $116, add 2 state land permits @ $28 ea, add Archery $60, add Muzzleloader permits State & Private $28 each, add Fall Turkey State & Private $28; TOTAL $344. A NY Super Sportsman license is $250 including virtually all activities.
In summary: Sportsmen are pleased with DEP programs and performance. DEP funding must improve, but diminishing lawful participation solves nothing. Sportsmen would be amenable to reasoned fee increases approximating 25% and in relative balance with other regional states.
Thank you.
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Public Safety and Security Committee PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA
Tuesday, February 24, 2009 11:00 AM in Room 1A of the LOB
http://www.cga.ct.gov/2009/PSdata/pha/2009PHA00224-R001100PS-PHA.htm
9. H.B. No. 6457 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF FIREARMS AND THE LICENSING OF BAIL ENFORCEMENT AGENTS, PROFESSIONAL BONDSMEN AND SURETY BAIL BOND AGENTS
To require gun show promoters to notify the Commissioner of Public Safety of any planned gun show; to mandate annual firearms safety refresher courses for bail enforcement agents, professional bondsmen and surety bail bond agents; to require that certain firearms and criminal justice course instructors be approved by the Commissioner of Public Safety; to provide an exemption to the offenses of selling, carrying or brandishing a facsimile firearm for a participant in a state-certified qualified production; to change the blood alcohol limit for the offense of carrying a firearm while intoxicated to achieve parity with the level for the offense of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated; and to require the concealment of a pistol or revolver when carried upon the person, with certain exemptions. OPPOSE the provision on Concealed Carry.
E-mail, and Write, and Phone Call YOUR State Legislators! We urge you communicate with your State Representative and State Senator. You can find your CT legislator at this http://www.cga.ct.gov/maps/townlist.asp or in the Blue pages under “Connecticut, State of” then “Legislators”. Also, inform your friends who have an interest. Ask them to communicate.
While we urge you to use your own words, use the KISS principle, and please…do not be insulting or negative towards Any Senator, Representative, or anyone else in the Capitol. After you contact YOUR legislators, talk to the Environment Committee 860-240-0440. Identify yourself and Town, State your position and why you Support or Oppose the bill. Be Brief, if they have questions they will ask.
Review all current bills and other info at the CCS website www.ctsportsmen.com
***************
H. B. No. 6371 Doubles most licenses/fees, Eliminates the Conservation Fund with Special Fund revenues (Boating, Motorboat Fuel Tax, others) going to the General Fund (GF ). See Sec. 3, Boat Registration; Sec. 48-Sec. 72, Hunting, Fishing, Trapping, All-Waters/Combinations (NEW), NWCO, Tags, more; Sec 95, Licenses/Fed Funding.
Testimony today.
COALITION OF CONNECTICUT SPORTSMEN
P.O. Box 2506, Hartford, CT 06146, (203) 245-8076
www.ctsportsmen.com [email protected]
Testimony presented to the ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE, February 18, 2009
IN OPPOSITION to H. B. No. 6371 AN ACT CONCERNING FUNDING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
By Robert T. Crook, Director
We don’t know who wrote this bill, but obviously there was little understanding of how the DEP is structured. Doubling virtually all licenses and fees may have some validity in this budget crisis, but one has to differentiate between the Environmental Quality (EQ) Branch (Regulatory, Enforcement) and Environmental Conservation (EC) Branch (Public Recreation: Hunting, Fishing, Parks). The impact of this proposal on the public is substantially different considering the missions of the two branches. Without separate evaluation of the two, this bill will have tremendous impact on Sportsmen, other public Recreationalists, tourism, and associated business revenue. We believe this doubled increase will not generate the anticipated amount or may lose revenue due to attrition when participation in all fee-paid outdoor activities is currently decreasing.
Doubling Sportsmen Fees is Outrageous! Fee increases have always attempted to be compatible with regional states. A perusal of the attached regional fee schedule of License/Tag fees demonstrates CT will be far above the norm. The 40% increase in license and permit fees 7 years ago resulted in a 5 to 8% reduction in license sales; the proposed 100% increase will result in much greater attrition in a time when both Fishing and Hunting participants are already decreasing. The proposed fees will eliminate any non-resident license purchases. Any proposal for license and fee increases that are not the result of DEP recommendations in consultation with the sporting community, and in balance with adjoining states must be rejected.
We reject eliminating the Environmental Conservation Fund and all Special Funds including the Boating Fund, Motorboat Fuel Tax Fund, and transfer of these funds to the General Fund. The Conservation Fund has allowed DEP expertise to address overall program management and critical problems expeditiously rather than relying on inflexible General Funding determined by the Legislature/Administration. While we deplore the non-General Fund positions that cost these funds 100 + 62% fringe benefits; the return through user input, coordination, and DEP accomplishment offset the increased manpower costs.
We’re told the Pheasant program is eliminated and DEP did not request elimination. The Pheasant Program is entirely funded by pheasant hunters in CT-No State funds are used to support the program. There is no rational or financial reason for elimination. In fact, elimination of the pheasant program will result in a further loss of license sales. We reject any proposal to eliminate the CT DEP Pheasant Program.
NEW FEES-Ends of the Spectrum: For a resident parent to take his >16 year-old fishing trout for a few days it will cost each $40. Saltwater each $30. For the avid sportsman, a combination Supersport All Waters & Firearms + Deer (Private land) Permit & Turkey (Spring Private land) Permit $116, add 2 state land permits @ $28 ea, add Archery $60, add Muzzleloader permits State & Private $28 each, add Fall Turkey State & Private $28; TOTAL $344. A NY Super Sportsman license is $250 including virtually all activities.
In summary: Sportsmen are pleased with DEP programs and performance. DEP funding must improve, but diminishing lawful participation solves nothing. Sportsmen would be amenable to reasoned fee increases approximating 25% and in relative balance with other regional states.
Thank you.
***********************
Public Safety and Security Committee PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA
Tuesday, February 24, 2009 11:00 AM in Room 1A of the LOB
http://www.cga.ct.gov/2009/PSdata/pha/2009PHA00224-R001100PS-PHA.htm
9. H.B. No. 6457 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF FIREARMS AND THE LICENSING OF BAIL ENFORCEMENT AGENTS, PROFESSIONAL BONDSMEN AND SURETY BAIL BOND AGENTS
To require gun show promoters to notify the Commissioner of Public Safety of any planned gun show; to mandate annual firearms safety refresher courses for bail enforcement agents, professional bondsmen and surety bail bond agents; to require that certain firearms and criminal justice course instructors be approved by the Commissioner of Public Safety; to provide an exemption to the offenses of selling, carrying or brandishing a facsimile firearm for a participant in a state-certified qualified production; to change the blood alcohol limit for the offense of carrying a firearm while intoxicated to achieve parity with the level for the offense of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated; and to require the concealment of a pistol or revolver when carried upon the person, with certain exemptions. OPPOSE the provision on Concealed Carry.
E-mail, and Write, and Phone Call YOUR State Legislators! We urge you communicate with your State Representative and State Senator. You can find your CT legislator at this http://www.cga.ct.gov/maps/townlist.asp or in the Blue pages under “Connecticut, State of” then “Legislators”. Also, inform your friends who have an interest. Ask them to communicate.
While we urge you to use your own words, use the KISS principle, and please…do not be insulting or negative towards Any Senator, Representative, or anyone else in the Capitol. After you contact YOUR legislators, talk to the Environment Committee 860-240-0440. Identify yourself and Town, State your position and why you Support or Oppose the bill. Be Brief, if they have questions they will ask.
Review all current bills and other info at the CCS website www.ctsportsmen.com
02-20-2009, 08:39 AM
#2
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Chicopee, Massachusetts
Posts: 385
RE: ANY CONNECTICUT HUNTERS/SPORTSMEN OUT THERE?
There is a lot more to this trio of bills. Here is a link to the original NRA alert.
http://www.nraila.org/Hunting/Read/HuntingIssues.aspx?ID=4394&type=L
I hunt Connecticut as a non-resident and posted this in the Northeast section awhile ago. My posting got some reads but no responses. The Governor in Massachusetts tried this last year and the legislature was overwhelmed with responses and the measure failed.
Bob
http://www.nraila.org/Hunting/Read/HuntingIssues.aspx?ID=4394&type=L
I hunt Connecticut as a non-resident and posted this in the Northeast section awhile ago. My posting got some reads but no responses. The Governor in Massachusetts tried this last year and the legislature was overwhelmed with responses and the measure failed.
Bob
