04-14-2010, 10:56 PM
[font "Times New Roman"]April 13, 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Larry Perosino (860) 240-0144
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[center][center]REP. HURLBURT ANNOUNCES ROLLBACK OF PARK FEES & HUNTING, FISHING LICENSES[/center]
[center][font "Times New Roman"]Reduction part of $480 million plan to close 2010 budget deficit [/font][/center][/center]
[size 4]State Representative Bryan Hurlburt, who represents Ashford, Tolland and Willington in the Connecticut General Assembly, announced a major rollback of last year’s doubling of fees charged by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for state parks and campgrounds, as well as hunting and fishing licenses.[/size]
[size 4]The fee rollback was contained in a $480 million deficit mitigation plan approved by the House of Representatives to balance the state budget for fiscal year 2010. [/size]
[size 4]Hurlburt said the previous years 100% increase on park fees, hunting and fishing licenses will be rolled back to only 35%. For example, a resident inland waters sport fishing license will fall from $40 to $28, resident firearms hunting license will fall from $28 to $19, combination inland fishing and firearms hunting from $56 to $38. The fees were originally doubled as a way to help close the state budget deficit, but Hurlburt said the increase placed an unfair burden on sportsmen. Approximately 180,000 Connecticut residents pay these fees each year.[/size]
[size 4]“I am thrilled we were able to get a fee rollback provision into this important budget bill,” said Hurlburt, who serves as Vice-chair of the Legislature’s Environment Committee. “Everyone is being asked to share in the burden of closing their state’s budget deficit, but from my perspective the bull’s-eye on the sportsmen was a bit severe.” [/size]
[size 4]In order to cover the revenue loss from the fee rollback, increased Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) fines for violators, such as the minimum fine for speeding, will increase from $ 3 5 to $50. Seat belt violations, which have not increased since 1985, would go to $50 from $15. [/size]
[size 4]Hurlburt said the DEP fee reductions would go into effect as soon as the Governor signs the legislation into law – hopefully in time for the start of Connecticut ’s fishing season and the state parks’ busy summer season. [/size]
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[center][center]REP. HURLBURT ANNOUNCES ROLLBACK OF PARK FEES & HUNTING, FISHING LICENSES[/center]
[center][font "Times New Roman"]Reduction part of $480 million plan to close 2010 budget deficit [/font][/center][/center]
[size 4]State Representative Bryan Hurlburt, who represents Ashford, Tolland and Willington in the Connecticut General Assembly, announced a major rollback of last year’s doubling of fees charged by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for state parks and campgrounds, as well as hunting and fishing licenses.[/size]
[size 4]The fee rollback was contained in a $480 million deficit mitigation plan approved by the House of Representatives to balance the state budget for fiscal year 2010. [/size]
[size 4]Hurlburt said the previous years 100% increase on park fees, hunting and fishing licenses will be rolled back to only 35%. For example, a resident inland waters sport fishing license will fall from $40 to $28, resident firearms hunting license will fall from $28 to $19, combination inland fishing and firearms hunting from $56 to $38. The fees were originally doubled as a way to help close the state budget deficit, but Hurlburt said the increase placed an unfair burden on sportsmen. Approximately 180,000 Connecticut residents pay these fees each year.[/size]
[size 4]“I am thrilled we were able to get a fee rollback provision into this important budget bill,” said Hurlburt, who serves as Vice-chair of the Legislature’s Environment Committee. “Everyone is being asked to share in the burden of closing their state’s budget deficit, but from my perspective the bull’s-eye on the sportsmen was a bit severe.” [/size]
[size 4]In order to cover the revenue loss from the fee rollback, increased Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) fines for violators, such as the minimum fine for speeding, will increase from $ 3 5 to $50. Seat belt violations, which have not increased since 1985, would go to $50 from $15. [/size]
[size 4]Hurlburt said the DEP fee reductions would go into effect as soon as the Governor signs the legislation into law – hopefully in time for the start of Connecticut ’s fishing season and the state parks’ busy summer season. [/size]
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