Anglers can cast their lines without worrying about the state taking a vig now that the bureaucrats in Albany have given up on their plan to impose a saltwater fishing fee.
“We’re glad the governor finally listened,” said Senator Dean Murray, who helped lead the charge against the dreaded state tax. “Anglers, bait shops–pretty much everyone who enjoys Long Island’s natural saltwater resources–were upset about this. There was an incredible amount of opposition.”
The state Department of Environmental Conservation put out feelers over the summer to gauge support for the license–supposedly to raise money to protect the resource–and found that there was none. Opposition was especially harsh among Long Islanders, who make up the bulk of the state’s saltwater anglers. The DEC “has elected to not adopt the fee, leaving the waters off Long Island free and open for those who wish to conduct saltwater fishing,” the state agency said.
“This was a money grab by Albany, no question about it, and the people just wouldn’t stand for it,” said Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano, who also helped galvanize the opposition. “We pay enough to live in this state without the Democrats putting a tax on one of the last things we can do for free.”
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