ALL MASS SPORTSMEN PLEASE READ

[mikecc]

John sorry for posting here but this area gets lot more visibility.


Alert * * Massachusetts Sportsmen’s Council * * Alert


The Governor, in his FY04 Budget (House 1) is proposing to eliminate the dedicated Inland Fisheries and Game Fund and transfer the balance ($6 million+) to the Stabilization Fund. This is using monies voluntarily paid by sportsmen for sportsman related programs and land acquisition, not tax revenues, to subsidize other public uses. It is another TAX ONLY ON SPORTSMEN AND WOMEN if he is successful. In addition to the $6+ million in the account, we will also lose over $4.6 million in federal reimbursements. These losses will devastate the operation of the division.

In outside sections he is also increasing, to $75.00, the fees for licenses and permits relating to firearms:

Section 161 - License to sell ammunition

Section 162 - Firearms Identification Card Fees

Section 163 - License to Carry Firearms

Section 164 - Permits to Purchase Firearms

Section 165 - Non-Residents & Non-Resident Aliens Firearms Fees

Section 166 - Resident Aliens Firearms Fees

We successfully stopped the transfer for FY03, now it is more imperative that we stop the elimination of OUR dedicated fund and the miss-appropriation of monies in it.

The Massachusetts Sportsmen’s Council asks every sportsman and as many others as possible to call their Representative and Senator and urge him/her to oppose this latest attack on sportsmen and gun owners. Tell them not to allow this raid on non-tax revenue, to protect our dedicated fund and to vote to reject the firearm fees increase.

Please forward to sportsmen and others!

John E Kellstrand
Legislative/Executive Agent
Massachusetts Sportsmen's Council
586 Hingham Street
Rockland MA 02370-1263
Tel: 781-878-0310