CCA backs raise of license fee- Thoughts?

[Matt G]

Originally Posted by MathGeek

The illusion of dedicated funds in gov't ends up being a ruse almost every time.

The state can simply cut the funding for saltwater research from other sources, just as it cut education funding (or slowed growth) from other sources to effectively negate lottery revenues.

LA politicians have a long history of failing to respect the idea of dedicated funds in dedicated accounts, sometimes raiding the funds outright to finance other things or balance the budget or whatever.

LA has great fishing, certainly even well worth the cost of out of state licenses, in my opinion. I would not mind paying more personally, but most states are facing the long term issue of declining numbers of anglers. As hunter and angler numbers decline compared with the general population, greater encroachments on hunting and fishing rights are a predictable result.

The percentage of LA citizens who hunt and fish and vote are a more important long term asset to LDWF than license revenues.

Has the money ($26 million) from raiding the artificial reef fund been repaid yet? Increasing license fees with this nonsense still unfixed seems like a bad plan. Adding $3-4 million in additional revenues is not gonna help when the legislature seems willing to steal $26 million at any time.

x100. I don't mind paying to play as long as the money is going for the intended purpose. That's just not the name of the game in Louisiana politics.

[cgoods17]

Originally Posted by Matt G

x100. I don't mind paying to play as long as the money is going for the intended purpose. That's just not the name of the game in Louisiana politics.

what is the intended purpose of increasing license fees?

[Matt G]

Originally Posted by cgoods17

what is the intended purpose of increasing license fees?

"

As the bill is currently written, the full amount of the increase would be deposited into a newly created Saltwater Fish Research and Conservation Fund.

"