The thing is guys, whether we like it or not, to keep fishing, we are stuck with having to pay whatever amount they put out there. So, far I like to fish more than not. I don't agree with what they are doing, and they are all in bed together, Democrats and Repulicans alike, trying to still a dollar anyway they can. I am a school teacher and the TRS(retirement system is one of the few agencies in the BLACK+$. They have been trying to get into it for several years. I hope there is something there when I do decide to retire, or I may not get to retire, and enjoy my favorite passtime. Voting is the only power we have as people and many times that will not get anything done. This is from the National to the State to almost Local Government.

Done, we'll see if they get to run for another term.

Sent mine.

Has anybody tried to contact any of the local T.V. stations in the DFW area to see if they would investigate this matter so that maybe more of the public could hear about it on the news and get fired up to do something about it ?
Not all of the general public comes to this web-site to get informed about things having to do with fishing. If you want to get the word out...
Go to the news media and raise hell.
Just my .02 cents worth.

Im not buying a license next year. I am sorry i bought one this year. If I get a ticket at least i earned it and the money is going to where it is supposed to.

Not to get off the subject, but the Game Warden can already seize any and all equipment used in commiting any violation as evidence at the violator's trial - if there is one. This would include guns used in illegal hunting or fishing poles / tackle used while fishing without a license. Just something to think about. I have seen the Wardens here in Tarrant County with a whole load of stuff taken from folks illegally fishing at Vance's Camp and also at the Clear Fork at Whisky Flats. Not sure what they do with the stuff though.

As for the $5.00 fee being hijacked by the State from TPWD......Ridiculous! Leave the fishermen alone!

My question is, has anyone received a reply from anyone other than an auto reply form letter?

This impersonal form of communication does not give you warm fuzzies that anyone is paying attention to you.

Dear TaxBILL,
u will be the first to know, I promise! catch me if u can... we are so understaffed down here that in all my years of fishing, i have been asked for my license maybe 5 times. I buy it every year hoping that my money is going to be put back into the resourse. Not anymore!!! Maybe i'll take the money I was going to spend on a license and take the boys working at the fishery in ingram out to eat at Chili's!!

do you speed?

Do you operate a motor vehicle without a driver's license and insurance?

TaxBill, where u go? my replies look even dumber without your witty banter!

ttt

and I wanted to share with you a genuine reply from my local representative.

Dear Ms. TexasBlonde:

Thank you for contacting my office regarding your concern about the
increased fee for fishing licenses. I will keep your concerns in mind
should any legislation as the session progresses. Please do not
hesitate to contact me further concerning this or any other state issue
of importance to you.

Best regards,
Larry Phillips
***

At least it was not a form letter. I also emailed my concern about the fee to TPWD. This is their reply I received today.

From: inld

RE: email from: /involved/pubhear/index.phtml

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department requested $15 million to construct a freshwater fish hatchery in our Legislative Appropriations Request submitted in August 2004. The Texas Legislature is considering funding the hatchery construction via bonds. Freshwater fish stamp funds will be used to finance these bonds. We intend to construct a fish hatchery with whatever funding mechanism is approved by the legislature. These stamp funds are dedicated funds approved by the legislature for the renovation, replacement and repair of our freshwater fish hatcheries and may not be used for other purposes.

*****

Has anyone searched the proposed bills in the Texas Senate for a reference to the legislature taking this fee? I searched some the day Strayhorn's article was published here and I could not find a reference to it in the Senate bill one as reference in the article.

Now I wonder if Strayhorn was grandstanding to gain attention.

The language is contained in a rider to Senate Bill 1 and in the House appropriations bill. I haven't looked at the House bill, but a lot of representatives are not aware of the attempt to redirect the funds because they don't read what they are voteing on.
According to several articles, it is pretty much a done deal in both houses. By issuing eight year bonds instead of paying for the new Jasper Hatchery with the funds collected by the fee, it makes this sessions budget look better on paper, but they are spending the future tax money yet to be collected. One estimate, it will increase the cost of the Jasper Hatchery by 4 to 5 million bucks.