02-11-2004, 04:04 PM
SSOR: Clarification Please
Help me get this clear in my mind... You object to TP&WD's consideration of an increase in license fee's because of a disparity in the pricing structure between resident (those of us that actually reside here and bear the brunt of taxes and license fee's) and that of a non-resident who may visit our state on a temporary basis, AKA snowbirds.
Many of the "winter Texans", as they prefer to be called, migrate to this state because of the exceptional outdoor activities [fresh & saltwater fishing, hunting, bird watching, etc] Texas has to offer. A large number of these individuals do in fact enjoy fishing in a state where reasonable prices allows them to do so on an extended basis. But you seem to feel that TP&WD Commissioners should not consider or approve the proposed increase in fees (which will affect residents as well as non-residents) and claim that there is too much disparity in the price structure. I beg to differ.
A quick check on the internet reveals that CURRENTLY in Texas there is a difference of $27.00 between resident and non-resident licenses. That is IF the proposal is approved as it is, without any revision, which normally occurs at hearings and after debate and public input. The same investigation shows that in the state of Ohio (one of the many northern and mid-western states from whence "snowbirds" flock to Texas) the disparity is $21.00; i.e., $19.00 resident freshwater fishing & $40.00 for a non-resident permit. Should a visitor to Texas desire to fish both fresh and saltwater they would need a combination license (which under the proposal eliminates the requirement of purchasing any species specific tags) $38.00 -vs-$65.00; still a difference of ONLY $27.00! Given that Texas offers hundereds of miles of accessable saltwater fishing and literally hundreds of freshwater lakes the variation of $6.00 doesn't seem to be all that bad.
Non-residents pay the same identical park &/or launch fees as the Texan's whose taxes and fees built said ramp and park in which non-residents avail themselves of all uses therein. The non-resident did not, however, pay for or support the hundreds of millions of dollars that Texans have poured into development, research and stocking some of the most productive waters in the entire U.S.A. Oversight of our lakes, rivers and coastal waters by some of the very best biologist doesn't come cheap. Visitors to Texas have the opportunity to enjoy some of the best fishing for a wide variety of species in this country. TEXANS paid for most of that and I feel that any non-resident who feels the need to partake of our resources should be willing to pay a little ($27.00) more for all the pleasure they receive and to help continue to replenish the resource that has given them so much pleasure. After all, Texans that travel outside the state pay the difference and generally receive much less bang for the buck.
Would you rather have the federal government in the form of the Federal Wildlife Department take over all States rights of oversight, establish regulations/rates (along with enforcement thereof) and protection of wildlife habitat (with their great track record) offering a universal license to fish anywhere within the U.S.? Until that happens, when I travel to other states in the course of my tournament competitions or simply for pleasure, I will gladly pay whatever fees are necessary without complaining. When and if that time comes I'll just stay home and complain about issues that I have a right to complain about.
Jim Files
[signature]
Help me get this clear in my mind... You object to TP&WD's consideration of an increase in license fee's because of a disparity in the pricing structure between resident (those of us that actually reside here and bear the brunt of taxes and license fee's) and that of a non-resident who may visit our state on a temporary basis, AKA snowbirds.
Many of the "winter Texans", as they prefer to be called, migrate to this state because of the exceptional outdoor activities [fresh & saltwater fishing, hunting, bird watching, etc] Texas has to offer. A large number of these individuals do in fact enjoy fishing in a state where reasonable prices allows them to do so on an extended basis. But you seem to feel that TP&WD Commissioners should not consider or approve the proposed increase in fees (which will affect residents as well as non-residents) and claim that there is too much disparity in the price structure. I beg to differ.
A quick check on the internet reveals that CURRENTLY in Texas there is a difference of $27.00 between resident and non-resident licenses. That is IF the proposal is approved as it is, without any revision, which normally occurs at hearings and after debate and public input. The same investigation shows that in the state of Ohio (one of the many northern and mid-western states from whence "snowbirds" flock to Texas) the disparity is $21.00; i.e., $19.00 resident freshwater fishing & $40.00 for a non-resident permit. Should a visitor to Texas desire to fish both fresh and saltwater they would need a combination license (which under the proposal eliminates the requirement of purchasing any species specific tags) $38.00 -vs-$65.00; still a difference of ONLY $27.00! Given that Texas offers hundereds of miles of accessable saltwater fishing and literally hundreds of freshwater lakes the variation of $6.00 doesn't seem to be all that bad.
Non-residents pay the same identical park &/or launch fees as the Texan's whose taxes and fees built said ramp and park in which non-residents avail themselves of all uses therein. The non-resident did not, however, pay for or support the hundreds of millions of dollars that Texans have poured into development, research and stocking some of the most productive waters in the entire U.S.A. Oversight of our lakes, rivers and coastal waters by some of the very best biologist doesn't come cheap. Visitors to Texas have the opportunity to enjoy some of the best fishing for a wide variety of species in this country. TEXANS paid for most of that and I feel that any non-resident who feels the need to partake of our resources should be willing to pay a little ($27.00) more for all the pleasure they receive and to help continue to replenish the resource that has given them so much pleasure. After all, Texans that travel outside the state pay the difference and generally receive much less bang for the buck.
Would you rather have the federal government in the form of the Federal Wildlife Department take over all States rights of oversight, establish regulations/rates (along with enforcement thereof) and protection of wildlife habitat (with their great track record) offering a universal license to fish anywhere within the U.S.? Until that happens, when I travel to other states in the course of my tournament competitions or simply for pleasure, I will gladly pay whatever fees are necessary without complaining. When and if that time comes I'll just stay home and complain about issues that I have a right to complain about.
Jim Files
[signature]