When we had the issue raised here in CT in 2002 and 2003, we resisted on the grounds that most of the funds would end up in the state general fund, or be absorbed by DMV in processing fees. Registration would also leave paddlers vulnerable to property taxation by their respective towns on their registered boats. Also, in the 2003 bill, paddlers would have to get boating licenses on top of it all, just to go paddling. In a private conversation with the boating division of DEP, representatives of paddlers said that if the state were serious about this, that a permit system would be fairest --- either a parking permit for state facilities, or a paddler?s permit. The problem is that if paddlecraft are registered, the state is eligible for more federal boating funds, because the amount each state gets is based on the number of craft registered in that state. So, it?s not just your money they?re after --- it?s also a federal money grab. So they always push for registration over more sensible options. Wayne Wayne Smith wsmith16_at_charter.net Check out my website! http://webpages.charter.net/wsmith16/home.html *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue Mar 22 2005 - 08:22:05 PST
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