That's so true, we got to keep at it, and "fight the fight".

Made the call. I was suprised how quickly the call was answered-only 1 ring.
My message: The Governor & the General Assembly underestimated the price sensity to the 100% increase in fees. Many sportsmen are reducing the type of licenses and tags and/or will be doing their hunting and fishing out of state. The Governor should check January's license renewals as compared to 2009.
The negative economic impact to state revenue will dwarf any fees revenue to the state.
Call took less than 30-seconds. I'll also follow up with a letter and ZYG's flyer. I'll post the letter for anyone who wants to copy and send. The economic impact argument is the most powerful point we can make.

Re State Rep replies issues:
Got the following answer from a Senators Legislative Assitant:

Letters have an effect. Number of letters on a given issue have a an impact. Uninformed and implolite letters have less effect.

Reps letters are handle by aids and organized as to issues.

Reps are extremely busy at this time. Many will get summaries of letters. Because of the shear volumn form letters need to be utilized.

If you don't receive a reply and want a reply from a rep you need to be agressive with following up calls begining a few days after a the letter is sent and ask when you might receive a reply.

Follow up phone calls and a large number of letters add up to the old saying, "squeaking wheels" get attention.

Just received this call to action from our lobbyist, Bob Crook, in response to my request for guidance to CTF members who are planning to contact their legislators.
Bob has included all the info you need in his email: He's provided an updated list of our supporters, outlined the steps to take and what to say,and at the end of the email he gives a summary of our position and supporting arguments.

This is the time to call and/or write, SINCE THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MAY CONSIDER THE FEES ISSUE THIS WEDNESDAY.

More to come as I get it.

Dave

Bob's note follows below:

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Robert Crook <info@ctsportsmen.com>
To: davep@snet.net
Sent: Mon, February 8, 2010 3:14:33 PM
Subject: License Fees/Upcoming Events/

If you haven’t communicated with YOUR legislators concerning License Fees DO IT NOW!! This issue will probably be considered by the Environment Comm. On Wednesday!!
2010 Support For Sportsmen Fee Reduction

YOUR communications with State legislators have proved beneficial!

NEWLY ADDED: 2/7
Rep. Frank N. Nicastro 800-842-8267 800-842-8267 or 860-240-8585 860-240-8585 Frank.Nicastro@cga.ct.gov
The following are State Representatives & Senators who have indicated Support of the Sportsmen Fee Reduction to a 20-25% increase of the previous 2009 Fees rather than the 100% increase.

Thank these supportive legislators for their interest and efforts.


E-mail, and Write, and Phone Call YOUR State Representative and State Senator - urge them eliminate the doubling of fees and SUPPORT a reasoned increase. See procedures at end.
There are MANY other legislators who will support this proposal. We need YOU to contact them and provide feedback to us should they make a commitment of Support or Opposition. ccsct@comcast.net

2010 Support For Sportsmen Fee Reduction 02/01/10


Sen. Donald DeFronzo * 800 842-1420 800 842-1420 or 860-240-0595 860-240-0595 DeFronzo@senatedems.ct.gov

Rep. Joan Lewis 800-842-8267 800-842-8267 or 860-240-8585 860-240-8585 Lewis@cga.ct.gov

Rep. Craig Minor ** 800-842-1423 800-842-1423 or 860-240-8700 860-240-8700 Craig.Miner@housegop.ct.gov

Rep. Shawn Williams ** 800-842-1423 800-842-1423 or 860-240-8700 860-240-8700 Sean.Williams@housegop.ct.gov
Rep. Bryan P. Hurlburt ** 800-842-8267 800-842-8267 or 860-240-8585 860-240-8585 Bryan.Hurlburt@cga.ct.gov

Sen. Jonathan Harris ** 800-842-1420 800-842-1420 or 860-240-0567 860-240-0567 Harris@senatedems.ct.gov

Sen. Sam Caligiuri ** 800-842-1421 800-842-1421 or 860-240-8800 860-240-8800 Sam.Caligiuri@cga.ct.gov

Sen. Anthony Guglielmo ** 800-842-1421 800-842-1421 or 860-240-8308 860-240-8308 Anthony.Guglielmo@cga.ct.gov

Sen. John Fonfara 800 842-1420 800 842-1420 or 860-240-0043 860-240-0043 Fonfara@senatedems.ct.gov

Rep. Tim O’Brien * 800-842-8267 800-842-8267 or 860-240-8585 860-240-8585 tim@timobrien.org

Rep. Peter Tercyak * 800-842-8267 800-842-8267 or 860-240-8585 860-240-8585 Peter.Tercyak@cga.ct.gov

Rep. Betty Boukus * 800-842-8267 800-842-8267 or 860-240-8585 860-240-8585 Betty.Boukus@cga.ct.gov

Rep. Roberta Willis 800-842-8267 800-842-8267 or 860-240-8585 860-240-8585 Roberta.Willis@cga.ct.gov

Rep. Antonio Guerrera 800-842-8267 800-842-8267 or 860-240-8585 860-240-8585 Tony.Guerrera@cga.ct.gov

Rep. Sandy Nafis 800-842-8267 800-842-8267 or 860-240-8585 860-240-8585 Sandy.Nafis@cga.ct.gov 185
Rep. Karen Jarmoc *** 800-842-8267 800-842-8267 or 860-240-8585 860-240-8585 Karen.Jarmoc@cga.ct.gov

Sen. Andrew M. Maynard **** 800 842-1420 800 842-1420 or 860-240-0584 860-240-0584 Maynard@senatedems.ct.gov

Sen. Gary D. LeBeau **** 800 842-1420 800 842-1420 or 860-240-0511 860-240-0511 LeBeau@senatedems.ct.gov

Sen. Edward Meyer **** 800 842-1420 800 842-1420 or 860-240-0455 860-240-0455 Meyer@senatedems.ct.gov

Sen. Andrea L Stillman **** 800 842-1420 800 842-1420 or 860-240-0589 860-240-0589 Stillman@senatedems.ct.gov

Sen. John Fonfara **** 800 842-1420 800 842-1420 or 860-240-0043 860-240-0043 Fonfara@senatedems.ct.gov

Sen. Mary Ann Handley **** 800 842-1420 800 842-1420 or 860-240-0441 860-240-0441 Handley@senatedems.ct.gov

Sen. Edith G. Prague **** 800 842-1420 800 842-1420 or 860-240-0579 860-240-0579 Prague@senatedems.ct.gov

Sen. Bob Duff **** 800 842-1420 800 842-1420 or 860-240-0414 860-240-0414 Duff@senatedems.ct.gov

Sen. Thomas Colapietro **** 800 842-1420 800 842-1420 or 860-240-0475 860-240-0475 Colapietro@senatedems.ct.gov

Sen. Gayle Slossberg **** 800 842-1420 800 842-1420 or 860-240-0482 860-240-0482 Slossberg@senatedems.ct.gov

Rep. Vincent J. Candelora 800-842-1423 800-842-1423 or 860-240-8700 860-240-8700 Vincent.Candelora@housegop.ct.gov

Rep. Christopher D. Coutu 800-842-1423 800-842-1423 or 860-240-8700 860-240-8700 Christopher.Coutu@housegop.ct.gov

Rep. Steven T. Mikutel 860 240-8585 860 240-8585 Steve.Mikutel@cga.ct.gov

Rep. DebraLee Hovey 800-842-1423 800-842-1423 or 860-240-8700 860-240-8700 DebraLee.Hovey@housegop.ct.gov

Sen. Paul R. Doyle 860-240-0498 860-240-0498 Doyle@senatedems.ct.gov

Sen. Andrew W. Roraback 800 842-1421 800 842-1421 or (860) 240-8800 (860) 240-8800 Andrew.Roraback@cga.ct.gov

Sen. Antonietta "Toni" Boucher 800 842-1421 800 842-1421 or (860) 240-8800 (860) 240-8800 Toni.Boucher@cga.ct.gov

Sen. Dan Debicella 800 842-1421 800 842-1421 or (860) 240-8800 (860) 240-8800 Dan.Debicella@cga.ct.gov

Rep. Ed Jutila 800-842-8267 800-842-8267 or (860) or 240-8585 Ed.Jutila@cga.ct.gov

Sen. L. Scott Frantz 800 842-1421 800 842-1421 or (860) 240-8800 (860) 240-8800 Scott.Frantz@cga.ct.gov

Sen. Michael A. McLachlan 800-842-1421 800-842-1421 or (860) 240-8800 (860) 240-8800 Michael.McLachlan@cga.ct.gov

Rep. David K. Labriola 800-842-1423 800-842-1423 or 860 240-8700 860 240-8700 David.Labriola@housegop.ct.gov

Rep. Peggy Sayers 800-842-8267 800-842-8267 or 860 240-8585 860 240-8585 Peggy.Sayers@cga.ct.gov

Rep. William A. Hamzy 800-842-1423 800-842-1423 or 860-240-8700 860-240-8700 William.Hamzy@housegop.ct.gov

Rep. Arthur J. O’Neill 800-842-1423 800-842-1423 or 860-240-8700 860-240-8700 Arthur.ONeill@housegop.ct.gov

Rep. Linda A. Orange 800-842-8267 800-842-8267 or 860-240-8585 860-240-8585 Linda.Orange@cga.ct.gov

Rep. Clark J. Chapin 800-842-1423 800-842-1423 or 860-240-8700 860-240-8700 Clark.Chapin@cga.ct.gov

Rep. Catherine Abercrombie 800.842.1902 800.842.1902 or 860.240.8500 860.240.8500 Catherine.Abercrombie@cga.ct.gov

Rep. Emil Altobello 800-842-8267 800-842-8267 or 860-240-8585 860-240-8585 Emil.Altobello@cga.ct.gov

Rep. Terry Backer 800-842-8267 800-842-8267 or 860-240-8585 860-240-8585 Terry.Backer@cga.ct.gov

Rep. Penny Bacchiochi 800-842-1423 800-842-1423 or 860-240-8700 860-240-8700 Penny.Bacchiochi@housegop.ct.gov

Rep. Edward E. Moukawsher 800-842-8267 800-842-8267 or 860-240-8585 860-240-8585 Edward.Moukawsher@cga.ct.gov

Rep. Jason Perillo 800-842-1423 800-842-1423 or 860-240-8700 860-240-8700 jason.perillo@housegop.ct.gov

Rep. John B. Rigby 800-842-1423 800-842-1423 or 860-240-8700 860-240-8700 John.Rigby@housegop.ct.gov

Rep. Russell A. Morin 800-842-8267 800-842-8267 or 860-240-8585 860-240-8585 Russell.Morin@cga.ct.gov

Sen. Kevin D. Witkos 800-842-1421 800-842-1421 or 860-240-8800 860-240-8800 Kevin.Witkos@cga.ct.gov

* Special Letter of Support

** Attended the Sportsmen’s Fee Meeting, Nov.4th 2009 at Cabela’s

*** Held Fees Forum in District

**** Reduction proposal circulated among Senate Democrats (House Democrats not yet available).


You can find your CT legislator at http://www.cga.ct.gov/maps/townlist.asp or in the Blue pages under “ Connecticut , State of” then “Legislators”. Also, inform your friends/customers who have an interest. Ask them to communicate.


Call, Write, e-mail or meet w/YOUR State Representative and Senator. Use your own words, tell them how this outrageous doubling of fees will affect you and the state, use the KISS principle, and please…do not be insulting or negative towards Any Senator, Representative, or anyone else in the Capitol. Identify yourself and Town, State your position and why you Support or Oppose the doubled increase. Be Brief, if they have questions they will ask. Ask for a response to your communication!

Review other info at the CCS website www.ctsportsmen.com

******

Sent to all Legislators

Our concerns:

We see the 100% increase in ALL licenses/Fees as impacting the public differently: (1) Business fees are a pass through to the consumer. In this proposal Sportsmen business fees are NOT addressed. (2) One time fees (Birth certificates, death, Court costs, etc.) are legal necessities. (3) Sportsmen’s Fees are Recreational and are voluntary discretionary income purchases.

The New fees are not competitive/balanced with surrounding/regional state fees which will promote our sportsmen hunting/fishing in adjoining states (See Tables on CCS Website) and will reduce to a virtual minimum CT non-resident licenses. This will result in a loss in both resident and tourism revenue impacting many small businesses, reduce sales tax revenue (gas, lodging, food, bait, etc.), corporate tax, recreation, diminish CT as a friendly state, and most important, reduce fish and wildlife management.

The table on the CCS website Fishing & Hunting License Sales 1989-2008 demonstrates attrition rates under the normal 10 year cycle (last increase 2003, @ 40%) and the dramatic 20 year attrition rate. The 100% increase will undoubtedly cause significantly higher participation losses.

Junior licenses are raised 500% contrary to “No Child Left Inside” and other programs directed toward outdoor recreation and program recruitment.

Attrition due to increased fees will impact Boat purchases and registration since most boats are fishing boats, less than 24’, equating to a revenue loss in sales tax, gas taxes, and marina sales and repair.

Fewer hunters & fishermen will impact aquaculture commercial trout hatcheries and pheasant farms located in the state.

A major concern is enforcement. Environmental Conservation Police are currently staffed in the low 40s of which 10 are in leadership/administrative positions. 30+ are available for stat-wide field enforcement 24/7 minus sick/ vacation/certification/and administrative time. Sportsmen are firm believers in adherence to the law, but some on the margin may tilt to inappropriate behavior by not purchasing licenses.

From an environmental and quality of life view, what we may be confronted with is a reduction in all aspects of wildlife/fisheries management, little enforcement which has been the norm due to minimal manpower, and little or no recruitment.

We have a major concern for small business owners engaged in outdoor recreational activities retailing to Hunting, Fishing, Boating, and other activities. In anticipation of the impact of projected reduction or nonparticipation and reduced recruitment affecting these establishments, many have concluded their businesses will not survive.

Sportsmen recognize the fiscal problem the state is facing is dramatic. We attempted support by breaking the 10 year fee cycle by promoting a 25% increase in fees (2009 Session) and thought that reasonable and a compromise. Expecting that sportsmen will pay these fees is optimistic and will result in reduced participation, loss of recruitment, or potential disregard of license requirements. The DEP recreational recruitment of younger anglers and hunters as well as others with modest financial means will no longer participate and stop buying licenses. Many who previously purchased a broad spectrum of licenses, in support of conservation, will limit their selection to Only those actually needed and used.

The fees are well above virtually all other states, and will prompt many to participate elsewhere. The large fee increases of 100% may have a short term positive revenue impact, but will incur a long term negative impact to the state and particularly to the DEP.

Tony,

I will see Bob tomorrow night at the CAC meeting and I'll bring the flyer with me.

Also, I don't remember if it showed up in one of my prior posts, but Bob has distributed information to a large group of legislators (think it went to all the Dems) More to come after the mtg.


Dave