Thanks for the replies.

I guess my frustration in letter writing is that my voice is being ignored by my elected officials. Its happening here at the local level and also on a national political level as well. Issues and tax increases are being rammed down the throats of hard working Americans against the general wants/consensus of the people.

I have to wonder if a letter is effective. I get junk mail in the box at home and my in box at the office. The first pass thru the pile I toss more than half of it in the garbage. The second pass another half gets tossed after opening the envelope. I have to wonder if this it what these politicians are doing as well.

There has to be a way of making more of an impact.

I agree John. Though my local Rep, John Rigby, has supposedly signed onto support this effort, I've written him three different letters and have never received a response back from him. I voted for him in the last election because he was a newcomer but, I've got some big issues with MY Reresentative when he fails to communicate.

Hope he's serious about supporting this effort.

Zyg,

Let me preface my response by saying that I don't follow the bills daily, but get my information by talking to our lobbyists and via emails sent out by Bob Crook.

Regarding HB 5018 and 5038: 5038 was submitted by Rep Hurlburt- He is a solid supporter, who attended the sportsmen's meeting at Cabela's on Nov 4th, and will be a leader on this issue. Right now, that bill is sitting in the Environment Committee. There was also a bill introduced by Sen Defronzo of New Britain calling for fee reductions. I expect that we'll receve an update from Bob on Tuesday night, regarding how these bills will be aligned or not, since I believe that the intent of Sen Defronzo's bill was to respond to a senior citizen constituent who complained of the inability to pay higher fees.

Regarding HB 5018, believe that is the larger budget adjustment bill submitted by Rep Cafero in response to dwindling revenues. Don't know your specific question, but I haven't heard any comments on it. I will only say that as a general comment from my friend John Larkin, "the revenue challenges facing the general assembly are staggering".

John H.

I agree that this can be frustrating. I'm running into this with my Rep, Demetrios Gennaros in the 22nd district. He's not onboard yet, and gave me lip service last fall. He hasn't yet returned my email asking him to state his support or opposition to fee reduction. My next action is to call his office later this week,and ask his aide to have him give me a call to discuss.

My communications plan is to be: 1)polite, 2) fact based and 3) persistant. This effort is more like a marathon than a sprint.

I had much better success with my State Senator, Jonathan Harris. He was unaware of this issue, but now has become a supporter and I have offered to assist him in any way I can in understanding the fee impacts, since he is neither an angler nor a hunter.

Finally, Bob's website has many good tips on how to communicate with legislators and how to work through obstacles in the communications process.


BGLHooked:

Don't know if your Fed saltwater fees question was directed to me, but if memory serves me, I believe that the Feds would have used the money to support the registry data collection efforts, with perhaps only a small portion, if anything, coming back back to Ct.
I'm kind of fuzzy on that one, since those specifics were discussed at the CAC during the 2008 timeframe and I wasn't as close to it.

Dave,
Seems like we are writing concurrently on the same issue.

BGL, I know there is post on this sight that may debunk your reps reply. I think your rep is misinformed.

I beleive ZYG or Sswind made the post. Since they are saltwater fisherman, they may be able to find the post, .

DJP and Tony,

Thank you for your response to my post. I have not been active enough on this topic and I am changing my ways now. I will write another letter until I get a clear response from my rep. to ensure that he understands my and so many others point of view. Everybody together can make a difference.

Brian