Rep. Jane Eberle, D-South Portland: ARE YOU SERIOUS???? You must have supported the "Plastic Bag Tax". What is wrong with this state? Who is running the circus in Augusta? With Mainers losing jobs everyday how could you think about ANOTHER TAX!! STOP TAXING US ON STUPID CRAP!!!!!

If you want more money for state departments cut the welfare that is draining the state dry. You know the more taxes you put on the people, the chance that you have a job down the road diminishes. So tell me how this is going to work, are you going to require tourists to apply, wait, and pay for a license that they will use ONE time? OR are you going to make the small private canoe and kayak rental shops pay $20 for each kayak they own. You know that they'll just raise their prices and consequently go out of business because tourists will spend their money on something else. GOOD IDEA, you must also think that vaccines cause Autism.

What is next - a mandatory license to walk in the woods? What about walking on your own property? Oh - lets charge people for LOOKING at WILDLIFE !!! The state can rake in the $$$$ - Personally I think we need to suggest a hot air tax - any law maker who comes up with these ideas needs to pay a tax, this will solve both the budget and "Climate Change" problem - sad the slippery slope the state of Maine is on.

What's next.....a permit to walk in the woods? I'm so dumbfounded I can barely type!

"For years, policymakers have struggled to find a way to generate more revenues from the significant portion of Mainers — not to mention tourists — who recreate outdoors but do not buy the licenses that provide the majority of DIF&W’s budget."

Am I understanding this correctly???? Are the good men and women in Augusta that represent us actually admitting that they don't want us to be able to recreate outdoors at all without paying for it?????

I might just have to move to Alaska. When a guy is getting screwed by the governor there he can at least feel good about it!

What ? ? Okay...your telling Mainers we're too fat and now you're telling us you are going to tax us for exercising ! ! !

Now that is desperation for more tax money.

Lifeinmaine..you may be very well correct regarding a tax while walking in the woods!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is this a %*&^@#%% joke !

The U.S. Gov. considers 'the Bubba effect' a potentially serious threat { U.S. citizens revolting[not paying taxes] based on their lack of representation and constitutional rights}

When is enough -- enough !!!!!!!!!!

In Iowa their state passed a large tax on R.V.'s' nobody paid it --- and went to the local Gov. - gave them their address - and said I'm not paying-----.the tax was repealed.

Jane Eberle, D-South Portland, said she enjoys seeing loons, eagles and other wildlife while canoeing, kayaking or rowing. Eberle said she believes many people who don’t hold hunting, fishing or trapping licenses are willing to help pay for wildlife and habitat protection programs run by the state.

LET ME TELL YOU WHAT JANE, I AM NOT WILLING TO PAY IT, and try and stay off the crack pipe, look what it did to Whitney Houston.

I know this is one more thing that we won't be able to do in Maine because of some stupid lawmaker.

MAINE The way to tax the life out of ya.We all need to go to agusta and fire these people.

the maine voter is to blame. we keep sending these dopes to augusta

What they need to do is cut in half the amount of lawmakers we have in Augusta and cut out wasteful spending and we could save lots of money in Maine.

Mainesurvivor

I was talking to a lifelong friend in Bangor on the cell phone last night and I was saying that I love to swim in lakes more than the ocean, river or a chlorinated indoor pool.

Is Maine going to start to charge people to swim in it's lakes now?

Mainelyme

That message was not intended to be aimed at Mainesurvivor.

The user name was stored via copy and paste and somehow I superimposed it onto that message.

Sorry about that chief!

Mainelyme

we really need to ask ourselves , do we as a state want to pay all these lawmakers to sit around for 6 months out of the year to come up with new laws for us I say we don't need them it's time vota out the legislature and then start on the next level we all vote them in can't we vote them out?

unbelievable, and just who will pay all this money, baldy get real, the jobs are going down everyday no work , no money, that how it is in the real world, if someone doesn't wake up in agusta and stop the insamity we are doomed. started with the rediculous RSU and just goes on and on and on.

I hate to say this but if they start chaging our family to use the god given fresh air and outdoors, then our family is going to move out of this state and for good. We have talked about it now since my husband lot his job 2 months ago and our property tax went up15% we have been looking at other states and there are many states that don't even have income tax that are as much as beautiful as Maine are and less restrictions.. Maine has Taxed us on everything to the point there only thing left to tax us on are the things that are God Given Rights. not state given.. stupied self servering

politicians you all should be ashamed of yourselves. Maine is a wilderness state. its been free to enjoy by all until now. Talk about piss poor State resource Managment. Grief. To think when I was a kid we could camp anywhere for free now you have to pay some Outer stater who owns the camp grounds or land, or the land has been posted to no trustpassing. and the now the Goverment owned land and water ways we have to pay. what the hell are my income taxes for? What about having to pay a boating tax on privet water ways? where does it end?

I love this state more than anything , I was Born right here in bangor .. but I think I can learn to love another state that is not going to send me and my family to the poor house.

I'm a liberal Democrat. I want everything taxed, and even *I* think this is the stupidest idea I have ever seen. If this keeps up, I'll become a conservative Republican yet.

I wont pay it! And I have a feeling I wont be the only one.

The left are feeling very powerful these days........ Little by little..... Less like America and moe like USSR? I smell Revolt in the air!

Overtaxed I smell it too and it's long oever due...

Have you heard about "Tea Party USA"? They are being oraganized all over the US. Time for one in Augusta...

I travel through august on a regular basis in the summer months, and i see plenty of cars with bike racks on the trunk, that also happen to have MAINE STATE PLATES on them. Now, maybe we should make these morons register their bikes, and pay a usage tax....like the trucks in this state that help keep the state running!!!!!! or maybe they should leave the states vehicle, which is in fact our[the taxpayers] vehicle at home and use their own vehicle, and fuel, and registrations!!!!!!!!!!! what a bunch of bull$hit..... way to go augusta!!!! you a$$clowns!

Elizabethan--Thank you.

I googled T.P. USA site-----it would get interesting if we all just stopped paying taxes: starting with this one.

So, what about a family such as ours that owns two kayaks and a canoe.......you know we are always hearing about ways to get money back into the states or even the whole US now.....us little guys are always hearing how we can make changes in our lives to tighten our pocket books and wallets and spend less.....my solution is why don't the congress, senate etc. take a cut in your pay for once.....what has happened here in the great USA is the ones in power can't live off of amts. in high numbers and need more to meet their greediness and selfishness and we little people can no longer make our wallets or pocketbooks stretch any further to without taking our homes and food from our families to meet your life style. Am hearing of so many making cuts to their employees but, not seeing any cuts from the big CEO's that have ruined our country from their $35,000.00 toilets ( many Americans only make that in one year and are told by the greedy that you needto learn to live off of this amt......why don't you all learn to live off of amts. like $200,000....I could live off of this for along time....if you all can't live off of amts. like I mention and even more then there is a problem with your spending and you need to regroup your ways of living and put back more into our economy to help the USA get back on it's feet!

And to go off into another direction if you all are entitled to FREE medical then why can't all Americans have FREE medical???? The great USA always allowing problems to grow so big and when it is really bad such as the drug issue with Mexico going on now, do you wait and try and fix it....why, don't fix the problem in it's infancy. The problem is with everyone we all have voted for to represent us....you all are greedy and selfish and only think of yourselves.....give back our money by taking it out of your pockets and wallets and live like the rest of us do, by doing without.

I'm guessing, from what I read here, this bill lacks the overwhelming support it's author expected to get.

And THEN some, JustKev!

I purchased my very first canoe last Summer, to not only exercise, but to get a little closer to the moose allllll the way across ponds (I take photgraphs of them on my days off). I CHOSE not to use a motor, because I wanted to paddle free. Now it's looking like I might have to PAY to paddle? Holy cow where is it going to end? I like the idea CeeBlue mentioned, about just telling them we aint gonna pay it.

Ok why can't the state put a little table on the side of rt15 just south of Greenville in the area of Shirley DOT Garage and charge everyone that stops to look at the Moose on the road side. Then a bike tax and a hiking tax. Maybe all hikers should have to take course on how to hike in the Maine woods and charge a fee for that. So many ways for the Maine Goverment to screw with the people. Just know the more you mess with the sportsmen, hikers, bikers, bird watchers and the rest that enjoy the State of Maine the more you will push away. So lets thank everyone that has visited Maine or enjoyed a quiet paddle for all the money they put in to Maine's economy, before they start taking it to other states. So bend over people here it comes

cmarkey excellent point but you know they wont give up a thing to help the working class. They wouldn't know where to start. Some of them CEOs probley can't even boil water. They get to have it all and we all get to pay for it. Just not right. I'm sure they worked real hard stepping on anyone who stood in their way from getting to the top. I hope that this doesn't go through, since I have to work 10 hr. nights and sleep all day it doesn't give me much time to go canoeing and then to think I would have to pay for a seperate license just to be able to put my canoe in the water is obserd. When can we start taxing those lawmakers for something stupid like drinking coffee in those state funded cars I see so often on the roads........................................

Maybe all of you that don't want to pay $20 for this could instead just pick up the garbage you throw around and recycle it to get your money back,. serve two purposes, clean up your messes and cover the cost at the same time. Or perhaps you could take some of the money you donate to LL bean so you can "look" like a yuppie and give that to the State to cover the cost of finding you when your expensive GPS from Beans doesn't tell you where in the world you are

I don't think they should tax us more than out of state hunters. Why should they get to come up here and hunt for the same price that we pay. Just because they chased all the wildlife away with their sky scrapers and 6 lane highways. On what grounds does a canoe or kayak need to be licensed. Grabbing at straws the government is. Why don't they have some food drives or bottle drives or something else to raise money. At least the tourist don't have to come back after paying all our taxes if they don't like it. Us natives what choice do we have. I sure miss the State of Maine that I was born into and grew up in. Where did all the freedom go.................................................................................................................

LD 626 is probably the most sensible bill I have seen come out of Augusta in a long time. Anyone who doubts the necessity of this bill has not spent much time on the water in this state. I would suggest that the non-believers go out with a Maine Game Warden or a Maine Forester for a week or two and then tell me that people in canoes, kayaks, sailboats and the like are not a problem.

Our Maine Wardens and Foresters respond to many complaints and emergencies involving these types of watercraft. They really do a lot more than protect the environment and natural resources in our state. This bill if passed will help defray the cost associated with drownings, accident investigations, responding to medical emergencies, search and rescue operations and many other activities that no other agency is capable of handling.

I strongly support LD 626 for one reason, EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL, NO CASH / NO SPLASH.

Oh great Jane, another tax! My God when will you people in Augusta ever learn that during these economic times you have to leave us alone so that we can survive day to day. It might be that you have the ability to pay, but some of us are wondering where are groceries coming from next.

Try thinking then acting. Get Serious, I love loons and other aqautic things, but give me a break.

I have a daughter who lost her job, cannot get unemployment, does not have ANY medical insurance, is 42 years old, has a son, and is living in a shelter...............TAX THAT while being comfortable in your life and getting money from taxpayers!

Maybe it's time for the lawmakers in Augusta to be directed to start cut spending instead of trying to find new ways to generate fund. The message is we are dry too. STOP THE TAXING US TO THE MAX MENTALITY. Do you guys have any brains or is it just mush.

hey semperfi..

are you serious...the Maine wardens are paid very well for what they do..to justify it by making it seem they are overworked and underpaid is ludacris! Oh yeah..and this bill also is very restrictive..

1. Fund established. The Maine Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund, referred to in this section as the "fund," is established. The fund receives money deposited by the Treasurer of State pursuant to section sections 10255 and 13074, subsection 2 and Title 36, section 5284, revenues generated in accordance with this section and any money contributed voluntarily to the fund. All money deposited in the fund and the earnings on that money remain in the fund to be used for the management of nongame wildlife and for necessary administrative and personnel costs associated with the management of nongame wildlife and may not be deposited in the General Fund or any other fund, except as specifically provided by law.

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §10253, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by c. 614, §9, is repealed.

Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §13074 is enacted to read:

§ 13074. Nonmotorized watercraft license: WE CARE

1. License required to operate a nonmotorized watercraft on inland waters. A person 16 years of age or older may not operate a nonmotorized watercraft on inland waters unless that person holds a valid hunting, fishing or trapping license or a valid Wildlife Enthusiast's Conservation Appreciation, Recreation and Enjoyment or WE CARE license issued pursuant to this section.

2. Fee. The fee for the WE CARE license under subsection 1 is $19 annually. Revenue raised by the department from the sale of this license must be deposited in the Maine Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund under section 10253.

3. Penalty. The penalties set out in this subsection apply to violations of this section.

A. A person who violates subsection 1 commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $500 may be adjudged.

B. A person who violates subsection 1 after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime.

What next? a toll sidewalk ???

Semperfi, the people that don't support this bill ARE the ones that spend time on the water!! You are a joke and probably an "out of stata" Come on!!! This state is beautiful and I really wouldn't want to live any where else, but I am thinking about it. The goverment needs to be fixed, it's not for the people any more, and not just here in Maine. We voted these clowns in, and your right, we should have more of a say in what they propse as bills, and what they tax us on. My word, jobs are being lost everyday, why don't they focus on the economy. HARLEY07, you hit it right on the nose!!! Not "suggested" to cut spending, "DIRECTED" to cut spending, state vechicles, registrations, all the "perks", and then all the wasted time and money on exploratory committees, and programs that no one needs but themselves to make sure next year they don't lose that money in their budget.

My son is just starting to really enjoy fishing, and he loves the out doors and exploring. It's sad I have to tell him that the people in Augusta, the ones put there to help the ones that put them there are not doing their job and we can't afford to enjoy the out doors any more!!!!

This tax bill is just the tip of the ice berg, this state has been going down hill for a long time, so has this country, wake, let's take care of our own problems people. Stop paying for the ones who want everything for nothing and kick them out!!!!! Thank God I own guns!!!!

Why not instead tax the Canadian rockweed industrial harvest of our rockweed resource, going on right under your noses????I don't see biologists, game wardens supervising those scumbags. Or fining the constant illegal actions of these foreign entities. Why are Mainers so apathetic and their politicians so pathetic?

I HAVE TO ASK HAS ANY OF THESE PEOPLE EVER HAD A JOB OTHER THEN SITTING ON THEIR BUTTS AND COMING UP WITH STUPID TAXES? THEY GET PAID BIG BUCKS AND FOR WHAT? I'D LIKE TO SEE THEM WORK FOR MINUMN WAGE AND SEE IF THEY CAN LIVE ON THAT AND RAISE A FAMILY.

HOW ABOUT LOOKING INTO PEOPLE WHO GET STATE HELP AND WORK UNDER THE TABLE AND SAY THEY DON'T LIVE WITH EACHOTHER AND GET FOOD STAMPS AND EVERYTHING ELSE HANDED TO THEM ON A SILVER PLATER. THAT'S MINE AND OTHER PEOPLE WHO DO AN HONEST HARD DAYS WORK AND WE'RE PAYING FOR THEM TO DO THIS.

I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH FIBROMYALGIA AND YES IT IS UNDER SOCIAL SERCURITY BUT INSTEAD OF ME SITTING HOME AND COLLECTING THAT I'M OUT THERE WORKING MY BUTT OFF AND YES IT'S VERY PAIINFUL BUT I DEAL WITH IT.

I ALSO WANT TO ADD THAT BREWER HIGH HAS AN OUTDOOR PROGRAM WHERE THEY USE CANOES AND IF THE TAX PASSES THEY WILL PROBALY HAVE TO CUT THE ROGRAM DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE KIDS RAISE THE MONEY TO DO THE TRIPS AND OTHER STUFF. JUST LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE. YOU ALREADY TAX ENOUGH RECREACTIONAL STUFF. WHAT HARM IS A KAYAK OR CANOE DO TO THE WATER ANYWAY. STAND UP AND GET SOME FRESH AIR TO YOUR BRAINS.THIS WON'T PASS.

Apparently there isn't any recession in Augusta..Most major retailers are laying of employee's - smaller ones are going out of business - Here we have a state that promotes tourism heavily - OUR BIGGEST SOURCE OF INCOME - The state needs to make some hard decisions as the rest of us have - Less Income --- Fewer People --- Mainers wouldn't notice the difference with a 10% cut in Rangers or other staff members. Funny no one mentioned the LOON PLATE - The most popular license plate purchased to help fund The DIFW on a voluntary bases. I guess Maine doesn't want to loose it's standing as The Highest Tax State in the Nation. I wonder how many tourist dollars will be lost because of this new TAX. I would suspect that most could afford $20 .... but it's the principal of the thing...I remember I took a vacation to Grand Cayman - I had a nice time...but when you loose $20 on the hundred...hmmmm...I can find another place to spend my tourist dollars

I guess there's a lot of folks out there that think that they're already paying enough taxes, and I agree. Problem is, they actually think that they're already paying for things like boat ramps, endangered species management ( like the eagles that you like to see as you paddle your kayak), envionmental review, enforcement activities, search and rescue etc. You don't!!! Those activities do not come from general taxes. They come from hunting and fishing license fees for the most part. Some money also comes from the conservation plates, although that fund has continued to decrease. If there is another way to help fund these activities, please step up. But those of us that have funded all of the activities that the rest of you have recieved for free are not going to continue to give you a free ride. Before Angus King left office, the legislature passed and he signed a bill that mandated that 18% of the IF&W budget come from the general fund. That has never happened. The current governor and legislature have simply ignored the law. Maybe a better solution than charging non-motorized watercraft users a fee would be to put that 18% funding law into the Maine Constitution? Just a thought.

HEY MsKnowItAll: Sorry but we got tired of your ATV's, your garbage, your BS attitude, your trespassers and drug addict kids.

YOU CANT BE SERIOUS MAINE IS FALLING TO THE CRAPPER! ANOTHER FEE...NO WONDER WHY KIDS ARE TURNING TO DRINKING AND DRUGS ITS THE CHEAPEST THING TO DO! WE ALL KNOW THIS WILL MAKE SOME PEOPLE NOT BOTHER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SPORT...SO THAT HURTS THE ECONOMY YOU WONT BE BUYING SUPPLIES GEAR OR STOPPING AT YOUR LOCAL STORE AFTER YOUR DONE FOR THE DAY! IM ONE OF THEM!! ITS CHEAPER TO GO TO A BAR THEN USE MAINE'S WATER WAYS!

COMMONSENSCE I AGREE WITH YOU 100% EXCEPT....VACCINES AND AUTISM MAY HAVE A CONNECTION...IM NOT TO SURE IT DOES NOT YET..LOL...SCIENCE WILL FIND A LINK TO VACCINES AND MANY DISORDERS EVENTUALLY....AND BY THE WAY I VACCINATE MY CHILDREN..BUT NOT FOR CHICKEN-POX....

Of all the over the clothesline whiners! All the screwed up tax issues in this state and everybody is in a snit over this? Comments like the ones from penobscotman actually get to the root of the issues-maybe you all should be asking where all that money went! (the 18%) Heres one that we actually need-How about a min age and a licence for power boat users?

Who uses a boat ramp to launch a canoe or kayak? lol

As for wardens to keep us safe on the lakes, we could use a few less of them, not more. All they do is harrass you.

Soon we're going to need registration for the innertubes and other floats our kids use in the water, and a license to swim.

Ten kids could use my daughter's kayak this summer. One $19 fee for the kayak for ten kids' use is a pretty good deal. I don't like it but I wouldn't fuss too much about registering the kayak the same way we do our boat. $19 x 10 kids = $190 in boating licenses. Most of those kids will use the kayak once and that will be their only paddle for the season. $19 for a trip across the pond and back. How about the kids who'd like to try out the kayak for the first time? As for the $20 Maine Rescue Card, I'll take my chances. I think most everyone else will take their chances too. Is there a refund if they don't find you until it's too late?

Game wardens are stretched thin now. I'm going to write Eberle and ask her how she's going to have this law enforced. Her contact information is here. http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/history/122nd/122bios/eberje.htm

I swear I give up on those looney's. Next will be the paddles and the fishrods, maybe shouldn't give them any ideas.

What a joke.

I am a Registered Maine Guide. I buy the following licenses, permits, stamps, and registrations annually from the state of Maine.

Hunting license-Fishing license-Maine bear permit-bait dealer's license-boat registrations-apply for moose permit-state duck stamp-snomobile registration-4-wheeler registration-vehicle registration-trailer registration- and guides license renewal every 3 years. This is a lot of money. I spend all the money I wish to spend in order to make a living and still afford my insurance for my guide's business. I do not agree with this bill to charge recreational users with kyaks and canoes.

This will be damaging to the summer camp industry in Maine. This legislation is nothing short of idiotic.

Well, if kayakers and canoers aren't using boat ramps, why when I go to launch my boat, canoe or kayak, would half the vehicles in the parking lots along the Penobscot River boat ramps have canoe or kayak racks on their roof? Now that's a mystery! Less wardens, that's a unique perspective. Maybe when someone from you family is lost or drowned, you'll have a different take on that!

semperfi - you say "I would suggest that the non-believers go out with a Maine Game Warden or a Maine Forester for a week or two and then tell me that people in canoes, kayaks, sailboats and the like are not a problem." I can do that and 10 times better - I lived with one for 28 years and can 100% positively assure you they are NOT the biggest problem wardens face. Not sure where in Maine you live (if it even is in Maine), but north of Bangor, kayaks and canoes and the like are not serious issues for Maine game wardens.

This tax is absurd. And it would figure that a promoter of the Bill would be from South Portland - I'm surprised she didn't offer a tax to view the "wildlife" at the Maine mall - wouldn't that be more accurate from her position?

Let us all just assume folks in Maine will continue to be their submissive selves and pay the tax if this bill goes into effect. What are some viable, non-taxable watercraft alternatives? A small inflatible rubber raft? Probably not, this would be considered a watercraft and subject to the tax. Sorry kids, we can't afford to have you out there having fun in Winnie The Pooh inflatible raft. What about a boogie board or surf board? Some real possibilities here. A person can get great exercise paddling from a kneeling position using either of these two options. Now for the best part (and keep this to ourselves), a lawmaker has yet to define a boogie board or surf board as a watercraft. Now, there are some obvious drawbacks, but avoiding paying another tax trumps needing to wear a wetsuit when leaf peeping in late September. Probably the best alternative is simulated canoeing or kayaking...basically just sitting by the shore with your paddle going through the motions. I know, the J-stroke on the rocks is a little hard to pull off, but it is free.

Please remember the names of the "tax us more/again" legislators who introduce these measures and see that they don't have the opportunity to propose such measures again. We do get what we vote for - how's that working for us voters? Not so good, ay.

HEY BICYCLES HAVE THE RIGHTS ON THE ROAD AS A CAR RIGHT>? AND WE HAVE TO LICENSE A CAR WHY HASN'T THE GOVERNOR DECIDED TO IMPOSE A TAX OR FEE TO LICENSE A BIKE? ...I MEAN MAYBE WE CAN FORCE PEOPLE OUT OF OUR WATERS AND OFF OUR ROADS WITH BIKES AND ADD TO MAINE'S OBESITY RATES?

The legislators in Augusta need to listen to a song by the Beatles . . .TAX MAN!! Good grief, what's next . . .taxing us for having bird feeders in the backyard?

How about this idea for the State Government . . . .STOP SPENDING LIKE A DRUNKEN SAILOR! They want taxes like this and then they wonder why people are not coming and staying in Maine. Get a FREAKIN clue folks! :-(

What is next ... a lisence to ride a bike, skateboard, snowshoe, rollerblade. What are you thinking of, Mainers are supposedly overweight and will now have to hold a lisence to enjoy the outdoors. You already have to register your canoe now hold a lisence? Why stop at canoes why not have to have a lisence to operate a boat. The children that have enjoyed these activities are now just out of luck. Thanks Augusta.

This goes along with having to pay for milfoil sticker for every watercraft you register. Seems to me one sticker per family should suffice. Next we will get to pay those for kayaks along with the licensing fees.

I have a jeep I drive as a summer vehicle, I bought the wildlife plate voluntarily for $20 extra a year. I register my snowmobile. I pay for hunting and fishing licenses (well, don't hunt anymore). I will not pay to register my 2 kayaks. Law or no law. Also, looking at what is next should this pass, I will not pay to register my mtn. bike, my xc skis, snowshoes, downhill skis, or hiking boots. The slogan "Maine-The way life should be" is quickly becoming a joke.

How do wardens "keep lakes and rivers safe"? This is a department that needs a trimming and a reality check. No really. How do they do it? How do they keep our lakes and rivers so safe? What a joke!

Everyone who is against this bill should also be favor of repealing the license fees for fishing, hunting, etc. There was a time once when anyone could participate in these activities for free just as kayakers do now. Since we all have a right to go out and enjoy the outdoors, why is it that only sportsmen (and sportswomen) have to pay for the wildlife programs?

As a non-resident property owner and summer resident since 1984, the antics of Mr. Baldacci never cease to amaze me. My lakefront cabin in East Machias had property taxes of $68 dollars when I bought it and are close to $800 now. We are talking about less than an unimproved acre here, folks.

Before I can even wet a line I fork out close to $150 for two non-resident fishing licenses and 2 milfoil stickers. (It was much more before my 2 children graduated school and moved away). They way the law is explained above, I would assume because I am a fishing license holder my canoe, rubber raft and sunfish do not fall under the license law but becasue I am an out-of-stater I am sure Augusta will find a way to stick it to me and others like me.

I fail to see the logic of trying to get tourists, who may visit the state for a week or two, to fork over 20 bucks a kayak or canoe to use the waterways. With the price of gas so high, Maine is a long ride for many just to reach the state border. Adding another fee will not encourage them to paddle in Maine and the tourism industry that is the lifeblood of so many small and large businesses in here is going to take a huge hit.

Personally, I don't mind seeing fewer people on the water and on the logging roads. However, fewer tourists means a lot less money the state takes in and an increased number of people looking for jobs as the businesses catering to tourists disappear. Maybe your restaurants will be less crowded in the summer and early fall but it won't be long before the local merchants feel the pinch in their pocketbooks and will be forced to close up leaving a bunch more empty, deteriorating buildings in the small and large towns all over Maine.

I have never talked to a person or neighbor in Maine that actually likes Baldacci, yet he was first elected to public office in 1978 and has been elected or

re-elected in every race he has run in since then.

Maine residents complain about him non-stop, yet they continue to vote him in.

I don't get it.

Maybe if he wasn't so busy trying to protect the rights and hand-outs to those able bodied people who refuse to work, have multiple children out of wedlock who won't get married so their benefits do not get reduced and give food stamps to people who buy shopping carts full of goodies and then load them into the back of their brand new truck or SUV, he could find the money to help the hard working tax paying citizens he is currently taxing to death to pay for the dregs of society that are perfectly content to suck the system dry.

You know, the habitual criminals and druggies who rob your homes, steal your cars and break into your camps that get a suspended sentence so they can go right back out and do it again?

You know, the local person who rips the school board, taxpayers or businesses off and then gets a slap on the wrist suspended sentance leaving the taxpayers or the companies they ripped of to make up the difference?

You know, the murderers and rapists that had it so tough growing up the liberal left wing court systems and its bleeding heart lawyers and judges have to excuse them because society made them that way.

You know, the local politicians that race after the police because they pulled over his DUI druggie daughter and threaten to have their jobs because he has a lot of power and he helps write the legislation that protects degenerates like his daughter?

Need I say more?????

I agree with those opposed to this tax. And the Mainiac who wrote about moving to Alaska has a point.

ronfromdowneast, the state forces these towns to raise their tax rates. I'm lucky I got a nice 1300 square ft cabin on 2 acres with 200 ft of shore frontage and only pay less than 700 dollars tax a year. The town where I have the cabin always has money, maybe they should be running Augusta.

This is ridiculous!! You can't even relax in Maine anymore without being taxed! What about trying to tax walking, biking, skiing, horse back riding, sledding and hmmmm what else can we tax that should be free. We could tax everyone with pets, no matter what the kind...whether the animal died during the year or not. Or we could learn as a STATE and as individuals to live within our means and stop trying to support millions of things that noone can afford. You could cut the prisons of their tv's, gyms, educations that the rest of us have to pay for if we want...(just to name a few). People should be looking towards Churches and their friends and family for help instead of "going on state" to support their wants. A little Faith in God goes further than our state or countries economies. It's only as bad as you're willing to make it sound. Think about it this way, if we didn't have to pay all these stupid taxes, we could afford to put food on our tables and a home over our heads etc.. And change our sign...it should read "Maine, the way life use to be until we were taxed".

Hey, while we are thinking about ways to raise more money to waste, How about requiring a license for those damn pesky bicycles. How about wheelchairs. a special tax for a handicapped parking permit, a fee for using a public bathroom would be nice, a special license to walk a nature trail,a tax in order to grow a garden would be in order, a tax for everyone over 50 years old,a tax for everyone under 50 years old. These may sound far fetched and ridiculous but not anymore than a license or fee for owning a canoe or kayak. What a bunch of money hungry, greedy morons we have trying to run this state!!! Sad, just plain sad..............................

This just another way to fund Maine's exceptional welfare system.

Single mothers with only part-time jobs, or no jobs at all, are living much more comfortably than families with two hard-earned incomes.

I just heard on the news that there are a bunch of Iraqi families moving to Maine. They have chosen Maine because we have a much more lucrative welfare system than most states in the nation. Seriously, if funds are lacking for neccesary services provided by the state, there are plenty of places to cut costs.

My proposal? Mandatory drug tests should be required to receive a welfare check, food stamps, or any other state assistance that is handed out to these people that don't work. I pay taxes to fund this crap, and I submit to a drug test just to be allowed to earn this money. These politicians should realize that there are many Mainers taking advantage of such state funding, and they are not the ones who will be kayaking and paying this proposed new tax. Take away their handouts, maybe they will get a job and start paying taxes like the rest of us.

Please..................................................................Someone organize a Tea Party USA in Augusta. I live all the way up north. Google ....organize tea party USA....it's not hard to do. You'll find good information under the Freedom works page. We have to make our voices heard. This will slow down our politicians from thinking they can get away with this out of control government. Please pass that information on. I'm going to try to get attention to this post...............

read above post

read above post

read above post

Real Facts: Maine has the lowest TANF benefit in New England. Over the last 5 years, more than 5 times as many people on welfare left Maine than moved in.

Top 10 Myths about Maine's government assistance programs http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/realfacts/top_ten_tanf.htm

"Over the last 5 years, more than 5 times as many people on welfare left Maine than moved in. "

Looks like welfare recipients are Maines's top export.

Interesting how its ok for the hunters and fishers to support the DIF&W operations and yet the very people who try to restrict the hunting /fishing are not willing to help out. The hypocracy screams out...

Let's tax stupidity. We could collect enough money from our legislators to pay for health insurance for all of us. Therefore, we wouldn't need to exercise anymore. We could just pop pills to keep us alive.

For all those who suggest that Mainers can't complain because we vote to keep Baldy in office, note this fact. Baldy was re-elected with less then forty percent of the vote. I believe it was around a third. Therefore, two in three Mainers clearly voted for a change. I have nothing against Barbara Merril, but her entering the race, and making it a three way ticket, probably handed the win to Baldy. I think Merril and Woodcock only took votes away from each other. It should also be noted that Baldy's numbers co-incided nicely with the percentage of people in this state recieving assistance (i.e. welfare), the people who would like to see nothing change. I have nothing against the idea of welfare, a helping hand as it were, but anyone who doesn't see this as a huge problem in this state simply has their head in the sand. Does it make too much sense that letting citizens keep more of their own money will drive the economy on it's own? Why does the state always think that they have to be the monetary middle man?

Many good comments here..agreed that we are seemingly getting taxed for everything today...these are non-motorized recreational items that people spend money on to buy, spend gas on getting to places to use them, spend money on foods and supplies when out using them, etc. and we hear the same old song and dance, would you be willing to donate a few dollars more to help support the services provided by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. This is the same ploy used last election with the beverage tax, "just a few cents more and look at the benefits"...crazy! and lesbut...I would have to be against the "stupidy" tax because it would probably push me and SteveyDee into a higher bracket....

Stop voting complete morons into office.

Are you kidding me? This sounds like a Joe "The Tax Clown" Perry idea. How do these people come up with these ideas. They have way too much time on their hands. Time for a tea party folks!

Even the liberals are seeing the writing on the wall. And they love to be taxed.

Oh yeah, and I just read some more posts. Looks like Alaska is it. Pound sand, Maine Legislature. You just lost one more person who throws over $20,000.00 a year in property, excise, income and license fees at you a year. Thing is, how many of us does it take to guarantee one State worker their full medical, dental, vacation pay and retirement plan annually? Stick it. We're out. Thanks for the memories of growing up on Penboscot Bay, skiing Squaw and Sugarloaf, guiding on the West Branch, Dead and Kennebec. Over 50 years of it. We're gone.

Absolutely floored at this one, are they going after every other rowboat too? Think of all the skiffs, row boats, rafts, etc. that are under power of oar or paddle. Will this apply to only kayaks and canoes, define what they are? If I make my own, or does this only apply to manufactured one? I suppose I better read the bill before I go any further. The slippery slope continues.

Bangorean come baaacccckkkkkkk! It is not finalized yet! Hopefully the voices of reason and voices of those that can be heard will be realized and this nonsense will end...but just wait, I am sure one of our legislative leaders will be forthcoming with another bright Idea to tax the Maine citizen and those who come and support our economy....

To all you libs that are for taxing cigarettes, the rich, gas, and everything you dissagree with, I have this to say..HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH. Sucks when they go after something that effects you don't it?

As a Brit who holidays annually with friends who live in Maine I just think this tax idea is just plain crazy madness. Long live bureaucrats, hoorah!!!!!!

How many 1000s of canoes and kayaks are there in the State of Maine anyway?

Will it now be a criminal offence to not register your craft with the DIFW?

Will we get stopped on the lake or pond next time and told to "assume the position, keep your hands where I can see em, may I see your Canoe/Kayak Driver's Licence, Sir?"

And DIF&W to bill for search and rescue costs unless the subject held either a DIF&W-issued license or a new $20 “Maine Rescue Card.”

We have FREE Mountain Rescue in the UK, provided by trained Volunteers, National Health Service, Police, Military and Coastguard units, nobody should CHARGE money for helping another citizen in distress, particularly where lives are at risk. That's completely unethical IMHO.

Maine needs all the help it can get at the moment to stay special - the last thing it needs are more bureaucrats taking more taxes from its citizens.

Best Wishes from a Maine and US admirer here in the UK,

Don Buxton, Rotherham, UK.

all those users already are taxed in a system geared to reap maximum revenue, go out of your property taxed house, load those SALES TAXED KAYAKS onto my SALES TAXED/EXCISE TAXED truck, fill up with gas tax, pay a toll to get on a crummy revenue robbed road system, stop and buy some taxable snacks, pick up a fishing license ,"AS OF NEXT YEAR WE WILL HAVE TO ADD SALT WATER LICENSES TOO!" MAKE A CALL ON MY "CONNECT ME FUND " taxed cell phone to tell everyone where i'm going ,, did I forget a tax anyone.? DOES ANYONE IN AUGUSTA "GO" ANYWHERE ?

My wife is from anchorage Alaska, she was absolutely dumbfounded on all the taxes we pay for stupid crap.. we both were born here , she moved away, kept in touch and moved back 17 years later to marry me.. now I'm thinking about moving.. this is soo stupid.. enough is enough,,

When us the mindset of "TAX EVERYTHING" going to stop???

The list of non-taxed items is getting shorter everyday!

Last one out, turn off the light. VACATIONLAND!! WOO HOO! And to you idiots trying to turn this into a Dem vs. Repub. thing, you're 90% of the problem. Get a job and get off the computer. You're not funny, and you're clearly not informed. It's pretty obvious to me who is working and contributing and who isn't.

Look who is the primary sponsor of the Bill Bangorean, a Democrat, just like the Democrat that proposed a tax on plastic bags, the democrat who proposed a tax on heating oil. And it's not a Dem. Vs. Republican thing? Why don't you get a clue?

I don't agree with this tax at all. Times are tough for Mainers as it is, and this is the hair that breaks the camel's back. Enough is enough! If you want more money, then why don't the great people of Augusta take a cut in pay? I doubt Eberle even goes canoeing or to a state park for that matter.

I am in support of LD 510. Having personal experience with search and rescue operations, it is usually unprepared people getting in trouble. Other states, if memory serves me right, charge for search and rescue operations if people don't follow the rules. One search and rescue operation can run into several thousands of dollars in short order.

This bill should get people thinking about being prepared for their outdoor time. They should take a basic survival kit, medications, etc. etc.

LD 510 sounds like it is for the unprepared users of the outdoors. I would call the "Rescue Me" card cheap insurance and is alot less than a regular outdoorsperson pays for a season's licenses and permits. When you think it through with a calm and rational train of thought, LD 510 would help provide the resources to save lives. This is the big picture. Just my opinion.

It's a Government thing, stupid. Your boy GWB ran up the biggest deficit spending taxpayer dollars to benefit the chosen few ever in the history of Government. Here's an interesting tidbit: http://www.well-beingindex.com/stateCongresDistrictRank.asp Note that the Portland/seacoast area is "in the blue," but the rest of the State, carrying the burden for that area, is sh*t brindle brown. Note Alaska's color. Utah. Northern California. Hawaii. Americans dont' have to live and struggle to support a ridiculously bloated government bureacracy. It's kind of sad to have to leave the home State, but all 3 of my kids had to, and were glad they did. I don't like taxes any more than anyone else, but when they're being generated simply to support someone else's livelihood, either by tax benefits for the uber-wealthy or taxation simply to save some State jobs, I ain't gonna play.

what could possibly come next in this terrible economy? i won't pay it,,i have been kayaking for years and will continue, but won't do it.

As I put my tongue firmly in my cheek.... I agree with the person who said tax bicycles. Think about it. They are more of a hazard than kayakers. A cycling kid last fall ran into a parked car of an employee of mine. We have to build and maintain bike trails, build and mintain bike lanes on roadways. These liberal bicyclists and all those runty kids should share the load.

Its the Shawshank Redemption.....we have no say in this state.

State of Maine WAKE UP!!

Does Augusta know what Strategic Planning, Forecasting, and Feasibility have in common?? What a Waste!! These are Public Rep's who dream up these ideas in hopes of landing on a TV News Cast somewhere. Leave things alone! Why do you have to keep digging for revenues & piss people off. No wonder Maine people are opinionated "THEY SHOULD BE" Elected Officials in Augusta please stop embarassing us! Maturity really goes along way. If you can't handle the job GET OUT! There are several people who would take a shot at doing a better job the what we have now. Sickening!!

I think we should tax hiking boots. Have you ever hiked on the popular trails? Notice the erosion, the exposed tree roots the mud. When it rains, guess where all that eroded soil goes, thats right, water follows the path of least resistance, all of that loosened soil ends up in the nearest lake, pond, stream whatever. That is harming my water quality and I think those responsibe ought to pay.

Ya. Only liberals ride bicycles. Brilliant. You neo-con morons don't get it, do you? Not that any of you probably actually pay any income taxes, but when we have to pay a larger percentage of our household income, dollar for dollar, than someone who makes millions a year, now that's just wrong. But that's the neo-con position. The "Republican Way." Trickle down economy. How much different is that than, say China, where the workers support the Government Elite? The workers work to support the upper class, who reap all the benefits, and trickle a few drops down to the rest of us. You're just a bunch of meat puppets, spouting off about things you seem to know nothing about. You really, really only goose-step to what Rush tells you, don't you? Now THERE's an expert at all things scientific and political. Go turn on VOM-it radio. What new lies can they come up with today? Socialist President? The Global Warming Myth? Hoping the Administration Fails? Lovely. Really well informed. I repeat, it's the GOVERNMENT, stupid.

I think you need to elaborate on how "we" pay a larger portion of our household income in taxes than someone who makes a million a year.

Today's poll results are running about 9 to 1 against the proposed 'yak tax. The people are speaking...are the politicians listening? Democracy...21st century-style.

No more taxes - wasn't this Governor Baldacci's promise? I guess we know who we CAN'T trust. I propose we fine the legislators and Governor everytime they break a promise and put the money into the general fund. WE'D BE RICH!!!

Not only am I not reading any post where I am being yelled at (all caps) I am also clicking on the thumbs down symbol. Stop yelling at people. It's extremely rude. If what you write is worth reading, we'll read it. Any post that yelled is not worth reading.

Type on search for ....organizing tea party USA.....look under website FREEDOM WORKS. This state needs a tea party. Many are being organized in other states. I live up north otherwise than that I would be putting one together. Lets stop the whining and do something about it. We have to let our politicians know we are tired of being taxed and we won't be silent any longer. Let's stop the whining and do something about it. To some extent it really doesn't matter who is in office, if we make our voices heard and make our presence known they won't be able to ignore us.

READ THE ABOVE POST

READ THE ABOVE POST

Bangorean, That was fun!!! Wow!! I've never been called a neocon before...fabulous. My heart beats faster and joy spread across my face as i read your post....... You sure know how to send shivers down someones spine.... Again!! Again!!

The Maine Warden Service today, is as much a broken model as the United Auto workers are to General Motors.

In this day and age no one fishes or hunts anymore because sadly the forest cutting practices of the past thirty years have raised the temperature in all our streams and lakes and also have removed the natural habitat for all the animals that lived in what we then called "the woods".

A ride in the North Maine Woods in the winter would lead one to think that he is driving in farm country. The clear cuts of today look like hay and spud fields.

We have more that one state agency that requires a state employee to be in uniform and drive a green four wheel drive pickup, snowmobile and ATV to accomplish his or her job. In some states the Game Warden, Conservation Officer and Forest Ranger are all rolled into one agency and there is only one state air branch with fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. Maine has two.

As a cost savings to taxpayers and U. S. Government combined both the Customs and Immigration agencies on our borders into one agency that completes the same law enforcement tasks as years past.

Think of all the tax dollar savings to Maine residence if we had only one agency on patrol in our forests watching out for the welfare of our trees, fish, and wildlife.

C'mon folks...it's just a few dollars!

It's for the chillllllllllllldren!

Where do I go to register my chest waders?

Children? My A__! Kids are getting out of this hell hole faster than we can produce them. They are the smart ones!!

Ax the 'yak tax!!

I think you should be taxed for making comments in these comment sections on these articles. Everyone can afford to pay a little more in taxes. It is just money and they print tons every day.

The wardens are gonna have fun with me this summer...kayaking while saltwater fishing smokin' a fattie.

"Others were less enthusiastic about the measure. Russ Hazzard of Winthrop said if DIF&W needs more money it should increase the fees on motorboats, personal watercraft, snowmobiles, ATVs and other things that he said have an impact on the environment."

These folks are certifiable! My family already pays reg fees, excise taxes, gas taxes, milfoil charges, and trailer fees! raising the fees further will prevent us from being able to enjoy these outdoor activities. We also purchase our fishing/hunting licenses yearly & have paid for the hunter safety courses ect to do these, let alone the state taxes on the equipment needed to do these things. While this law wont affect my family since we are already license holders, I dont agree with this tax on kayaks and canoes. Most of us have been forced to cut back on our expenses why cant the state do this as well?? Our family needs to plan and budget to be able to afford the activities we enjoy doing. The lawmakers need to take a page from the regular everyday Maine family cut the fat and if you cant afford to do something then it gets eliminated from the budget. If things get much tighter here we'll start cutting our extras more starting with the internet & satellite.. much rather have the money to enjoy the outdoors while we still can until the states gets any more friggin greedy and raises the fees further. How about charging the morons they need to rescue? If your doing something stupid and get in trouble and need to be rescued then you need to pay! You know the drunks that get in boating/sledding/atv accidents, the boneheads that go hiking when conditions are dangerous and they shouldnt be out there to start with..these are the people that you need to pick on not the law abiding citizens that use common sense and dont put themselves into a situation that warrants rescueing from the wardens! My family has been hunting, fishing, sledding, atving etc for as long as I can remember and not once have we needed the assistance of the wardens thank god. About 99% of the accidents we read about in the paper are because of people that made the wrong choices and found themselves in trouble! On another note about the wardens keeping our waters safe.. I can count the # of times my family has been checked by or even seen a warden on one hand and we take advantage of our outdoor activities on almost a weekly basis all year. Whenever we have its never been a problems as we're always doing the activity we're enjoying within the limits of the law and are always sent on our way. So pick on someone else, not your average law abiding, tax paying Mainers enough is enough!

People who can enjoy the scenery will be more happy to help pay and protect the scenery and experience. I say let people kayak and canoe safely first to enjoy nature. Tax someone on something bigger.

I have personal experience in this area as I used to canoe the Allagash Waterway annually and the St. John River routinely. On any given day we were checked 2-3 times by the same ranger for our North Maine Woods pass. All eight of us (professional men out for a summer getaway) were within the law and he checked us again 4-5 hours later. Same request, same passes, same people. We looked at each other like this guy was an idiot. He was about 400 Lbs of fat and I'm suprised his motor boat didn't sink to the lake bed. These agencies are bored as heck and have nothing better to do than harrass people. They very little save people and are used more for finding corpses. Sorry jacks this agency is a waste of tax payers money! If they would actually do what they are designed to do the state of Maine would only need 5 wardens for the entire state. All the trees are cut!!! I'm patiently waiting for our first tornado or inland hurricane! We have already had multiple microburst due to irresponsible forest management in the Northern part of the state. LEAVE OUR FREEDOMS ALONE! Get a life and work on things that actually matter. Not energy drinks, cigaretts, canoes, kayaks, and all that other stupid stuff. Work for your money and lay in bed at night thinking about subjects that actually make a difference. Governer Bald should wake up and stop smoking aregano!

"Rep. Jane Eberle, D-South Portland, said she enjoys seeing loons, eagles and other wildlife while canoeing, kayaking or rowing. Eberle said she believes many people who don’t hold hunting, fishing or trapping licenses are willing to help pay for wildlife and habitat protection programs run by the state. “Why wouldn’t every single one of us want to have a part in protecting these magnificent creatures … and the things that make Maine special?” asked Eberle, the primary sponsor of LD 626."

This is the biggest piece of bull crap I've recently read AND, this just goes to show you how out-of-touch the elitist politicains are. What kind of a sick mind actually thinks like this? No wonder we're in the soup.

Here we go again in Taxland. Now Baldy wants to tax canoes and kayaks. Oh I'm sorry he calls it a license. Why come to Taxland for a vacation and get the crap taxed out of you. Sorry I am heading to the Carolina Shore. No taxes and at least I can swim in the ocean without freezing to death in July.

On 3/11/09 at 7:00 AM, skeptik wrote: HEY MsKnowItAll: Sorry but we got tired of your ATV's, your garbage, your BS attitude, your trespassers and drug addict kids.

Dear Skeptik

Our family does not own a Motor boat, a ATV or even a snowmobile. We do have 2 canoes and live on kenduskeag stream. When we camp we camp in a tent, not a RV or a camper. We hike as a family and we always leave where we have been the same or cleaner than we found it..at least i was born in this sate and i care

I'm sorry you can't you the same. it is easy to lie and talk sh!t about peolle when you can hide behind a computer screen. this happens to be a real problem for many of us bring up families. I bet you are some looser thats lives with his mother.

You’re show of lack of intelligence and you arrogant response to my comment shows you as the idiot you are. Congratulations you can join the other idiots that talk with there a$$holes instead of using their brain.

Get off the crack you can’t afford to loose any more brain cells.

Flag this comment if you want but the truth hurts don't it.

WTG MsKnowItAll... why people feel the need to bash others that they dont know on these comments boards I'll never figure out. People need to stick to the facts of the story and leave out the personal attacks!

This is for you bangorean, seeing as how you like to harp on Rush Limbaugh for wanting the president to fail. It appears that James Carville (a Clinton operative, and one of the dirtiest democratic stratigest alive) once stated he wanted Bush to fail. Now I expect you will condemn his words like you do Rush's.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/03/11/carville-wanted-bush-fail/

comment* is what I meant before someone picks @ my typo.

What is next? With the advent of the Maine Rescue Card, in a year or two you will be billed for services provided by the police when you get into an automobile accident. Of course if you are the victim of a crime, and call the police, they will show up with their investigative tools, and credit card reader - "Want us to dust for prints? That will be $49.95" There is a reason these are PUBLIC SERVICE agencies, you can not tax every activity under the sun to balance a budget. Look at the other headline today - $25million to expand the lap top program in schools!!!!! Augusta needs to learn to cut, and the voters in Maine need to learn to vote for other leaders - if not we only have ourselves to blame. The current white house, that Maine voted for, should be a lesson on what is to come in the form of taxes and spending, these are not the changes we need, and only we have the capacity to make them - WE SURROUND THEM !!!!

...Were paying for idiots like this to debate bills like this...

Guess Bangorean has just identified him/herself as one of us who is on the computer and not at work unless of course he/she is ripping off the company and posting comments on the boss' time. Maybe we should tax using the computer at work for personal issues. For his/her information, I have a job, Wednesday is my day off.

How about tricycles & pogo sticks?

For God's sake, leave us alone! Is there no thing or activity that these idiotic do-gooders won't leave alone, free from a license and tax? My wife has a small kayak, and I have a small canoe. They're simple unmotorized little things that we don't use very often. They don't bother anyone. They don't add any burden to the state, but now we're going to need licenses? Well, go ahead and stop protecting wildlife, stop building and maintaining boat ramps, and if I get lost don't mount a search and rescue operation. Legislature, administration, Fish and Game, and all other bureaucrats and administrators, screw you - I don't care- just don't license and tax our canoes and kayaks.

Can we mandate that any person planning to run for public office have their head examined?

But we get exactly what we vote for over and over again just as long as those entitlements keep coming.

So Eberle believes lots of people are willing to pay yet another tax? Tell her to look at the results of the Bangor Daily poll. Talk about being out of touch! Maybe it's just the people in her district who support this. Why doesn't the state levy a special tax on her district?

P.S. We are the second most taxed state in the union. Where is all the money going? Seems more like a case of horrible mismanagement by the legislature than a need for more taxes. Throw the bums out and vote in some people who can make this state prosperous. Maybe then we can afford more of these "nice-to-have's".

"Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys" – P.J. O'Rourke

NONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONO!!!!!!!

My theory on how 'those people' continue to get elected: There are too many liberals & welfare recipients in this state. They vote for the person who is most likely to dole out pork. I hope I didn't offend anyone.

I like the portion that makes those who drain local/State emergency response funding to pony up. The crazed ATV/snowsled drivers cost the taxpayers an incredible amount of money. How many stories read, alcohol/speed may have been a factor in an accident?

Isn't time for a leaf peeper tax???? How about paying to use the crappers at all Maine rest areas???? Here's another one how about taxing worms and live bait??? maybe a fish hook tax. Or maybe just set up toll booths at every dirt road in the state so as soon as your tires touch gravel you have to pay a toll????

Everyone complains about welfare and the people getting it. doesn't it say a lot about our state that people are raised to think it's OK to take advantage of the system??? To get as much as you can for as long as you can???? It's time to put a time limit on social services. There should be a safety net for people who are struggling and need the help but welfare shouldn't be a career choice. If you can't get your act together in 4 or 5 years with food stamps ,free medical ,and some sort of job training/education program then get out of my pocket. We can expand the school lunch program and feed your kids, but adults..... Your on your own.

Comnsenz: The wardens are out on the trails during the day burning taxpayer dollars cruising around on thier new sleds checking for expired registration stickers & setting up markers in corners to see if any sledders ross into the wrong side of the trail. The wardens do virtually nothing about drunk driving, the real problem they should be addressing. Yes, the state spends money on wardens policing sled trails but you gotta know what side your bread's buttered on: Snowmobilers spend millions in this state. Not all snowmobilers are crazed, when was the last time you read of bark eating granola penny pinching cross country skiers doing ANY charity work!

YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING !!! NEXT THING THE KIDS WILL HAVE TO GET A LICENSE TO FLOAT AROUND ON AN INNERTUBE WHILE SWIMMING . ENOUGH IS ENOUGH !!! WE'RE ALREADY PAYING TAXES ON TAXES ON TAXES. YES, YOU CAN CALL IT A LICENSE---IT'S STILL A TAX.

I do my hunting at night, Does that require a license of any kind?

Fox news had a report on the hunting business in Maine that they want to shut down because they it's inhumane to shoot these animals that are raised just to hunt. Pretty interesting.

GIVE ME A GODDAMN BREAK

just because baldacci can't fix his mistakes doesn't mean we should be punished. IMPEACH BALDACCI

BTW, tolls for the toll booths $1.00 on 295 and $2.00 to leave maine

O_O

enough is enough. impeach baldacci

Here would be a better place to voice your disgust:

http://www.maine.gov/legis/housedems/jeberle/

why not tax them....I pay for an atv and boat...why not canoe's or kayak's...why should they be exempt....and cats also ...I have to license my dog...

Yes, taxedtodeath.....you only need a license.....if you get caught... :)

Wonderful. Just what we need, more licenses, fees and friggin' taxes. Are we going to need a license just to breathe next?

I'm sure they will start taxing us on walking the Appalachian Trail too. Since my family and I are all avid kayakers, I will be getting a petition going to kill this bill before it is even voted on by legislation! This is crap.

semperfi: Are you for real? Canoes, kayaks, and sailboats are not the problem on our waterways. The problem is the high powered speedboats that could care less if a person is out there paddling. How many kayakers have you heard about drinking and then paddling their craft at a high speed and killing someone? Give me a break.

People....it's what the Democratic Party is all about! Look at Washington...$1 Billion per hour they've spent since being in office! And the fat-fingered greedy buggers want to keep on spending! If we want these idiots fired then we need to stop voting for them! Welcome to the new United Socialist States of America. Russian couldn't make communisim work so we'll give it a try. Maybe it's time for a revolution! Because I'm angry and sick and tired of these idiots taxing and charging us for what seems like everything.

I bet if Rep. Jane Eberle, D-South Portland ran for Governor, every moonbat in Maine would vote for her.

I'm all in favor of requiring all watercraft to have a milfoil sticker. Sell them at all the mom and pop stores and give them a dollar agent fee per sticker sold. Make the stickers widely available to out of staters and advertise it. perhaps this could wait a few years until the economy improves. The last thing we want to do now is discourage tourism.

As far as the rest of these taxes and fees proposed THEY ARE ALL NONSENSE!!! I notice the people mentioned in this article are all from Southern Maine. Rep. Jane Eberle is really out of touch with reality. These same people she thinks will contribute to all these funds are the same people that just lost most of the value in their 401ks and can no longer come to Maine and play. College friends perhaps? Russ Hazzard of Winthrop also has issues. The Maine sportsman pays enough in license and registration fees now. I wonder if Mr Hazzard was one of the 20 people who contributed to WE CARE? George Smith of SAM should pick his words more carefully too. We as Maine Sportsman are a dying breed. It's true we finace the policing and other items of our chosen sport. Lets try and bring the canoers and kayakers to our side a little at a time. A milfoil sticker is a good place to start. Possibly charge more for a Milfoil sticker and lower the cost of boat registration so the Sportsman dosen't get a double whammy. NOW IS NOT THE TIME THOUGH!! Lets get the details worked out and proceed slowly as the economy improves.

I actually think this is a great idea. There are a surprising number of deaths resulting from people going out on the water with no clue what they're doing. The license could come from a once-a-year course which could be taken online, so there wouldn't be any turnaround time to get the certificate. Fines could be restricted to people who are rescued from stupid situations at a cost to the taxpayer.

The course could include information such as:

1)Your boat needs flotation too. Otherwise if it rolls, it sinks.

2)Weather changes rapidly. If conditions start to deteriorate, get off the water while you can still handle them.

3)Land is a lot farther away then it looks and the lake/river/ocean is COLD for most of the year.

4)Rivers are not the place to take your canoe or touring kayak (or even whitewater boat) unless you KNOW what you're doing and are familiar with the area (or have a guide).

5)The ocean will move you without your consent. Know the currents where you're paddling or enjoy your trip to Mexico.

6)Life jackets work best when worn.

7)Plan to get wet, cold and lost. Unless you're paddling in a pond or swimming pool, have basic survival equipment on board (and packed in something buoyant and watertight!)

8)People who don't follow these rules die stupid, preventable deaths or cost a lot of time and money to save.

Ummm......... why is anyone surprised at this? Proposing new a new taxes on Mainers once a week is what the ruling party has done for decades and you just re-elected them again. What did you THINK was going to happen? They'd just stop raising taxes at every turn for some reason?

The Dems are doing exactly what you have mandated they do. Tax the hell out of everyone.

Here's a newsflash -- more is coming. They want to tax sugar, grocery bags, yes they'll probably start to tax any use of anything they can (i.e. Appalachian trail access fee). Nothing, nothing would surprise me. That $19 dollar fee they're going to get from the canoes -- it'll be up to $29 in a couple of years because they'll need an "administraror" to oversee the program (i.e. someone to make sure the money goes to growing the govt.)

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over (electing the same faces) and expecting different results (expecting that they'll stop the only behavior they know; raising taxes on anything imaginable).

Maine the way life should not be Over Taxed Over Governed Under Payed Under jobed what a joke this state government has become

Tax the wealthy over tax the poor and when the budget does not look good over tax some more

I absolutely can not believe that another tax is being proposed. What next? Don't fart in the woods or you'll have to pay a tax because the slight increase in temperature may impact the environment. Our elected officials seem to forget that we have a very short summer in Maine for visitors to come and enjoy our state. If we continue to impose tax after tax they will go somewhere else. Look what happened to industry in Maine. We taxed them to death, imposed environmental standards that were too stringent and costly to meet, had an out-of-control workman compensation program, etc, etc. etc. Yea, businesses packed up and left Maine. If we have incentives for individuals and people to come to Maine, they will. If not, they will run. Working in the school system, I have witnessed the abuses in our welfare system further wasting our declining financial dollars. Individuals from other states are flocking to Maine toparticipate in our very generous welfare programs. I have witnessed in awe how they know how to get homes, remodeling for the homes, vehicles, medical services and college education paid by our tax dollars. It's so sad because so many of them are not college material individuals and have no interest in becoming tax contributing individuals to our state. After enought calls to DHHS for child abuse, etc. they leave and head home.

Read my lips-------NO MORE TAXES NO MORE TAXES NO MORE TAXES

http://theconservativerevolution.com/freedomworks/how-to-organize-your-own-tea-party-protest/.....This page will help you organize for a new movement that is happening all across the US. It's called the tea party movement. If I live closer to Augusta, I would put one together. It is not hard to do. Pass this on and get one started. Itis very important that we start to do this. It really doesn't matter who is elected, they all seem to end up over taxing us. This would send a clear message that we are watching all of you and we are going to hold you accountable. I think this movement will also encourage those who would run as a politician and do it for good reasons and not to line their pockets and to push through their own agendas.

Read above post

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For a family of 4, would need to dish out $80/year so we can go kayaking a couple times during the summer? It is bad enough that some lakes do not provide public launches and some require a fee. Maybe this should only be applied to non-residents, who use our land and water, but do not pay state taxes!!

Is there anything left in our lives that is tax free? Where does it end?!

See you in Alaska, and you right-wing-whackos and socialst lefties deserve everything you get. Non-partisan truth is the answer, but you'll never understand that, will you? You both need someone to blame instead of yourselves. Good luck with it! I'm out.

This was sent to me from a friend who lives in China. Read and draw your own conclusions.

(I believe what is here is part of the grand plan for the New World Order, and why the banks are bring allowed not to fail, and the Government is picking up the mortgages.)

What is not diclosed is the "Secret Caveat" to the Eminent Domain Agreement.

"all migrating Chinese Citizens to the USA will receive immediatge United States Citizenship.

Thereby they will qualify for all public assistance/welfare programs, health & education,

drivers licenses etc..........be they State or Federal offerings".

China is now opening application offices this week in our tier-one cities. It is rumored that many

Remember there are 20 million un-employed workers in China...what do you think? Is this possible? Heard this rumored not too long ago. Do the research and see what you come up with. A friend sent this to me.

Hillary Grants Eminent Domain as Collateral to China for U.S. Debts

FEDS GRANT EMINENT DOMAIN AS COLLATERAL TO CHINA FOR U.S. DEBTS!

Beijing, China -- Sources at the United States Embassy in Beijing China have just CONFIRMED to me that the United States of America has tendered to China a written agreement which grants to the People's Republic of China, an option to exercise Eminent Domain within the USA, as collateral for China's continued purchase of US Treasury Notes and existing US Currency reserves!

The written agreement was brought to Beijing by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and was formalized and agreed-to during her recent trip to China .

This means that in the event the US Government defaults on its financial obligations to China , the Communist Government of China would be permitted to physically take -- inside the USA -- land, buildings, factories, perhaps even entire cities - to satisfy the financial obligations of the US government.

Put simply, the feds have now actually mortgaged the physical land and property of all citizens and businesses in the United States . They have given to a foreign power, their Constitutional power to "take" all of our property, as actual collateral for continued Chinese funding of US deficit spending and the continued carrying of US national debt.

This is an unimaginable betrayal of every man, woman and child in the USA . An outrage worthy of violent overthrow.

I am endeavoring to obtain images or copies of the actual document but in the interim, several different sources both in the US and in China have CONFIRMED this to me.

More details as they become available. . . . . spread the word ASAP.

-------------- UPDATE 1:40 pm EST

Eminent Domain is the power of government to TAKE private property for public use without the consent of the property owner. Under our Constitution, the government can only "take" when providing "just compensation" for what they've taken.

Who decides what constitutes "just compensation?" The government!

Homeowners who felt the government was not paying them enough for property in past "takings" have filed lawsuits. In absolutely every such case, the value placed upon the property by the government was upheld by the courts.

Our federal government has now granted to China , this power to "take"our homes and businesses in the event the US Gov't defaults on its debts. Let's play this out as a worst case scenario. . . . . .

The US Gov't goes belly-up and China comes in and says, "they owed us $2 Trillion in Treasury Notes and another $2 Trillion in actual cash money which is now worthless. We are taking the entire state of Hawaii and the entire state of California in lieu of this bad debt. "

With the stroke of a Chinese chop stick, Hawaii and California -- all the land and buildings in those states -- are now owned by China .

The "taking" would be a "valid public use" because it was "taken" in payment of the public debt!!!!

China could then turn around and declare the value of all that land to be worth. . . . . I dunno, ten cents on a dollar?

For your $200,000 house, you get a Chinese check for $20,000.

Needless to say, the property owners would go ballistic and demand "just compensation" for what was taken. Who gets to decide what is "just?" China ! Don't think you got a fair price for what they took? No problem, sue China .

You'll lose.

People who live in those states and own their land outright, might be able to negotiate with China to "rent" back their own property, as long as the property owner continued to pay all his taxes; but the land and buildings would belong to China !

This is what our own Government has just done to us and it is the single most vile act of betrayal in the history of human existence.

------------- SECOND UPDATE 3:48 PM

In early February nine U.S. States began the process of re-asserting their Sovereignty pursuant to the Ninth and Tenth Amendments to the US Constitution; declaring null and void any actions by Congress that violated the Constitution.

At the time, I wrote about those state efforts (Here) and wondered why so many states were taking-up such an arcane issue in such a seemingly urgent fashion. I guess now, we know why.

The states were obviously privy to what the feds were planning to do with granting Eminent Domain to China . The states took action to make certain the feds couldn't give away cities or the states themselves!

This situation is going to get VERY ugly, VERY fast as one sovereign power (the feds) try to literally give away the land of other sovereign powers, (the states). This is the type of thing that starts Civil War.

Our present federal government makes the treachery and betrayal of Benedict Arnold look like child's play.

http://halturnershow.blogspot.com/2009/02/feds-grant-eminent-domain-as-collateral.html

This was sent to me from a friend who lives in China. Read and draw your own conclusions.

(I believe what is here is part of the grand plan for the New World Order, and why the banks are bring allowed not to fail, and the Government is picking up the mortgages.)

What is not diclosed is the "Secret Caveat" to the Eminent Domain Agreement.

"all migrating Chinese Citizens to the USA will receive immediatge United States Citizenship.

Thereby they will qualify for all public assistance/welfare programs, health & education,

drivers licenses etc..........be they State or Federal offerings".

China is now opening application offices this week in our tier-one cities. It is rumored that many

of the 20 million un-emloyed migrant labors are queing up as we write. For every one of them there

is a wife and a single child which equals three new USA/China dual citizenship for each migrating family.

Hillary Grants Eminent Domain as Collateral to China for U.S. Debts

FEDS GRANT EMINENT DOMAIN AS COLLATERAL TO CHINA FOR U.S. DEBTS!

Beijing, China -- Sources at the United States Embassy in Beijing China have just CONFIRMED to me that the United States of America has tendered to China a written agreement which grants to the People's Republic of China, an option to exercise Eminent Domain within the USA, as collateral for China's continued purchase of US Treasury Notes and existing US Currency reserves!

The written agreement was brought to Beijing by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and was formalized and agreed-to during her recent trip to China .

This means that in the event the US Government defaults on its financial obligations to China , the Communist Government of China would be permitted to physically take -- inside the USA -- land, buildings, factories, perhaps even entire cities - to satisfy the financial obligations of the US government.

Put simply, the feds have now actually mortgaged the physical land and property of all citizens and businesses in the United States . They have given to a foreign power, their Constitutional power to "take" all of our property, as actual collateral for continued Chinese funding of US deficit spending and the continued carrying of US national debt.

This is an unimaginable betrayal of every man, woman and child in the USA . An outrage worthy of violent overthrow.

I am endeavoring to obtain images or copies of the actual document but in the interim, several different sources both in the US and in China have CONFIRMED this to me.

More details as they become available. . . . . spread the word ASAP.

-------------- UPDATE 1:40 pm EST

Eminent Domain is the power of government to TAKE private property for public use without the consent of the property owner. Under our Constitution, the government can only "take" when providing "just compensation" for what they've taken.

Who decides what constitutes "just compensation?" The government!

Homeowners who felt the government was not paying them enough for property in past "takings" have filed lawsuits. In absolutely every such case, the value placed upon the property by the government was upheld by the courts.

Our federal government has now granted to China , this power to "take"our homes and businesses in the event the US Gov't defaults on its debts. Let's play this out as a worst case scenario. . . . . .

The US Gov't goes belly-up and China comes in and says, "they owed us $2 Trillion in Treasury Notes and another $2 Trillion in actual cash money which is now worthless. We are taking the entire state of Hawaii and the entire state of California in lieu of this bad debt. "

With the stroke of a Chinese chop stick, Hawaii and California -- all the land and buildings in those states -- are now owned by China .

The "taking" would be a "valid public use" because it was "taken" in payment of the public debt!!!!

China could then turn around and declare the value of all that land to be worth. . . . . I dunno, ten cents on a dollar?

For your $200,000 house, you get a Chinese check for $20,000.

Needless to say, the property owners would go ballistic and demand "just compensation" for what was taken. Who gets to decide what is "just?" China ! Don't think you got a fair price for what they took? No problem, sue China .

You'll lose.

People who live in those states and own their land outright, might be able to negotiate with China to "rent" back their own property, as long as the property owner continued to pay all his taxes; but the land and buildings would belong to China !

This is what our own Government has just done to us and it is the single most vile act of betrayal in the history of human existence.

------------- SECOND UPDATE 3:48 PM

In early February nine U.S. States began the process of re-asserting their Sovereignty pursuant to the Ninth and Tenth Amendments to the US Constitution; declaring null and void any actions by Congress that violated the Constitution.

At the time, I wrote about those state efforts (Here) and wondered why so many states were taking-up such an arcane issue in such a seemingly urgent fashion. I guess now, we know why.

The states were obviously privy to what the feds were planning to do with granting Eminent Domain to China . The states took action to make certain the feds couldn't give away cities or the states themselves!

This situation is going to get VERY ugly, VERY fast as one sovereign power (the feds) try to literally give away the land of other sovereign powers, (the states). This is the type of thing that starts Civil War.

Our present federal government makes the treachery and betrayal of Benedict Arnold look like child's play.

A must read

http://halturnershow.blogspot.com/2009/02/feds-grant-eminent-domain-as-collateral.html

Hmmm...now where'd I put that box of Lipton bags????

As far as wardens and foresters having to respond to many complaints, how much does one rescue cost?

Who's paying for that now? Who's paying for the dispatch of the hovercraft every time someone fails to check the ice and goes through? Who's paying for the manpower?

Have we yet to pass a bill to require repayment of services rendered to those who hike in the woods unprepared? I genuinely want to know - I've heard talk of the passage of repayment requirements, but somehow I keep missing the results. Can anyone illuminate me on that one? I have to believe that if people go into the woods or water unprepared, than simply enacting yet another tax bill isn't going to stop them from that foolishness. It's just going to make the responsible people pay more. I'm with SandyL on that one.

How can we justify yet another tax when everyone is getting laid off right and left? Who's going to pay it?

Elizabethann, I read/scan the Shanghai daily on my Kindle2 every morning. I also read different asian newspapers. I also hit some diplomatic blogs. Usually when something happens in Asia the blogs rant it for days before it hits the US. No word of this anywhere. This sounds paranoid. Provide another source please.

Vichet...I know it sounds paranoid. I have been looking. This came from a friend who has a friend who lives over seas.

How paranoid is it though....why would we want China to help the US government in this economic crisis? And if they did,what they want to put up for collateral? At this poit we don't have very much to offer.

The post was to see if anyone had heard the something somewheres...

http://www.redcounty.com/sarasota/2009/02/obama-grants-eminent-domain-ri/.......Vichet...just found it...check this out.

I put in Google..... China collaterla American property loans...There's a few others that I haven't read yet. This was the first one on the page...

I found your article at 2-3 websites. One of which was obviously anti-semetic. Extremist propaganda meany to seperate one from their money. You had to register and pay for more information.... This is the political right-wing opposite of BCB's left wing insistance of GWB complicity in 9/11. Crap as well.

If you wanted to be paranoid about china there is plenty re: Panama canal and thier Demographic takeover of Eastern Russia...where Russia has a declining population and Chinese illegals will soon outnumber the Russians who live in the eastern 20% of Russia bordering Alaska. There is real world confirmation of these things. But if you are going to be paranoid about something you dont need to invent them.

Vichet...That's collateral ...added an extra "a."...wow.....man that is wierd..what's that all about....I read it. Imagine thehe ramifications of that is unbelievable...

if there was anything to it---- and there isnt---it would mean WW3 .....but a coup would happen here first. The whole thing is just plain stupid.

I guess time will tell.....if it sends up enough red flags someone will surely pick up on it. Hopefully we will get the truth..

But then again most of our politicians can't see past their wallets and their egos...

I guess we should just ignore that fact that the State Department has denied this ridiculous rumor: http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=90491

9:53 AM, Bangorean wrote. Well said. I've been thinking of a way to say that

Right wing whackos, Limbaugh, Hannity, O'Reilly and Coulter would never let the truth get in the way of a big fat lie, would they now Lizzie?:

http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/domain.asp So what's your response to the Karl Rove (trained by the inimitable liar, Lee Atwater) style propaganda hogwash?

Yes I think we can ignore this extremist crap. Noone is going to give up their claims to California.... Not even Mexico.

This discussion degraded into bull*hit political lying real fast. There really is no sense in responding to whackos, left or right.

I don't want to register my canoes and kayaks, and won't do it. How's that? UP yours, John Boy. Time you got out of our pockets.

milfoil on kayaks and canoes -really?? where??. I understand that milfoil is transported to other waterways on places it is not easily detected.(such as motor propellers).There's no place on a canoe or kayak that it would go undetected unless you are a complete idiot.Don't most people remove their canoes and kayaks from the water when they are done paddling? Unlike motorboats that stay in the water,canoes and kayaks are totally visible when removed from the water and flipped over.

Anyone want to buy several kayaks and canoe? I am out..I pay enough taxes and fees

Justme, I use an anchor in my canoe when fishing streams and rivers. I alway pick up much more vegetation with the anchor than I ever have with my electric trolling motor. So I can see how it can be transported even without a motor. Bottom line, if you use the resource, pay for it's upkeep. Motor or not.

bangorian why haven't you left yet? Yes, go to Alaska, many sportsmen from Maine have tried it. Few have stayed. Yes I was born and raised in Maine. It's a crime what's happened. Leaving can be a good thing. Be careful though where you go. Further west people don't like others from "away" and they can peg someone from the east in a split second. Makes it real tough. I dunno, maybe it'd take more courage to stay? Tax on canoes and kayaks is just WRONG. But typical for Maine. Everyone should be careful about joking about walking in the woods taxes, Baldarchery might like the idea.

Ok, I am not going to register my Kyak either should this become law. No way.

My accent gives me away all over the world. They say "you're from Boston," I say nope, I'm from north of the Mason/Augusta line". They say they got relatives in York, I say "that's Northern Massachusetts."

I do fine from Patagonia to Beijing to Venice and I've been in all 50 states. Frankly, I have to admit the orneriest people who don't deal well with "outtastatahs" are from where?

While I'm gone, please fight the government, not between yourselves. The "left - right" hogwash is a diversion while they ALL pick your pockets.

Perhaps Maine should create a user fee which impacts ALL users and not just certain segments of the population.. If the fee is spread among all users, then the amount charged would be nominal, say $5.00, and is similar to what the US Forest Service charges and collects at parking areas. North Carolina has a Game Lands use permit purchased by hunters and fishermen, on the theory that these groups take away something. I'm not sure if I totally agree with the concept, but that money does go directly to the Wildlife Department, as well as the cost of hunting and fishing licenses. New York collects a small fee at public boat launch parking lots. There are many of these sites in the Adirondacks, and as an annual visitor, I don't mind paying it should I use a public launch site to gain access to a certain lake or river. Again the monies go to the NYS DEC and is used to provide and maintain these areas. I would balk however, at the thought of paying a $20 or $30 registration fee for my canoe, even though I was a visitor staying on private property with it's own lake or river access.

Bruce Van Deuson, North Carolina

Is Johnathan Shenkins going to allow people to drink coke and smoke while they go Kayaking? Are we going to be allowed to bring our dog along with us? Wow! I didn't think that becoming in my mid-life years I would ever have to be asking for permission to do so many things that years ago people just did. I remember when going to the dump use to be free and getting cow manure for your garden was also free. What are they going to do next charge us for our smiles and the air that we breathe? Doesn't look like America is a free country anymore. We just had to put up 8 years with Bush. Augusta needs to give us a break!

Getting billed to be rescued?

WTF kinda sh1t is that

"Paddle Tax" or "No ores in the water." I'm writing from southwest Ohio where the annual license for a canoe is $30.00. In my garage are three canoes, originally purchased at the Old Town Factory store, which have been dry for the past five years. I fondly remember purchasing my canoes in Maine and quickly paddling on the Penobscot River and on a lake nearMount Katahdin. "The Way Life Ought To Be" should not include this Paddle Tax...don't let it happen. Remember your neighbors motto..."Live Free or Die."

Good luck my friends in Maine.

What next..a tax on a blow up $2 float? Wow glad I'm not living there in Maine anymore..its taxed more than ever before. Still can't figure why they don't put extra taxes on alcohol. Everything seems to be taxed high except that. Must be the lawmakers need it to dream up all the other extra ways to make money off people in Maine.

Unbelievable that so many people will complain about the new taxes, yet elect the same people (the ones who dream up these taxes) every time.

No New Taxes-

I am an avid outdoorsman and think I spend enough for licences. What IS next? hiking tax, geocaching tax, mountain biking tax, leaf peeping tax? The reason many do these kinds of things is because they CAN NOT AFFORD MOTOR BOATS!!

My kids and I hike, canoe, bike for that reason- I think if you asked them if they'd rather water ski the answer would be yes. I'm sorry son, Mom and Dad both work and make good money but owe the State of Maine every year and can not afford a boat/ATV or other toy.

"Rep. Jane Eberle, D-South Portland, said she enjoys seeing loons, eagles and other wildlife while canoeing, kayaking or rowing. Eberle said she believes many people who don’t hold hunting, fishing or trapping licenses are willing to help pay for wildlife and habitat protection programs run by the state."

If they are willing, then ask for donations. This is bad government.

When will you liberals realize that big government is the problem, not the solution?

Must you tax everything?

Next you'll want to license hiking boots.

For those of you who wish to contact this silly lady, her e-mail is RepJane.Eberle@legislature.maine.gov

Her phone number in the office is (207) 776-3783.

IN 1943 MY FATHER ALONG WITH MANY OTHER OF OUR GREAT VETERANS WENT TO WAR TO PROTECT THE FREEDOM OF OUR COUNTRY FROM ADOLF HITLAR. DAD SPENT THREE YEARS IN THE SERVICE AND NINE AND A HALF MONTHS OF THOSE YEARS IN A PRISION CAMP FIGHTING FOR OUR FREEDOM. BACK THEN THERE WERE NO SEAT BELT LAWS, NO HELMIT LAWS, NO NO SMOKEING LAWS. NO STOPPING AT A GATE TO PAY FOR A RIDE IN THE WOODS, NO LICENSE FEES FOR A CANOE, I COULD GO ON BUT THERE WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH ROOM ON THE COMMENT PAGE. NOW IT SEEMS SOME OF HITLARS DECENDENTS HAVE MOVED TO MAINE. WHAT THE HELL IS THIS WORLD COMMING TO? IS AGUSTA TELLING US YOU DO THIS OR ELSE? IF SO, WE NEED TO GET RID OF THE LITTLE ADOLF HITLARS OF AGUSTA. I WISH TO THANK ALL THE BRAVE VETERANS WHO FOUGHT FOR THE FREEDOM OF OUR COUNTRY. REMEMBER AGUSTA IF IT WASN'T FOR OUR VETERANS, YOU PEOPLE WOULD NOT BE WERE YOU ARE TODAY!!!!!

oh, so its fine to tax fisherman and hunters all they want, but the government cant touch anyone else. Is that how it is! As a catch and release fisherman, I have the same impact on the environment as a kayaker or canoer (in fact i usually use a canoe to fish), but i have to pay for licenses, while you don't, how is that fair!

And as a hunter, i haven't even seen a deer in the past three years while hunting, so i am having just as much impact as a hiker, but, yet again, I am taxed while you are not. I can see how it really lies now, As long as it doesn't affect you its fine, but heaven forbid anyone take money from you.

this is a joke....instead of taxing us to death try cutting your spending. that's what we do in my house

Going for a paddle should NOT be equated to hunting and fishing. When you hunt and fish you take some of the King's deer, fowl and fish. For that, have a tax, but not for putting a paddle boat in the water.

we should tax the government on all the taxes that they tax us on... who's the b*&%h now? it's a one way relationship, maaaan. if you feed them, they'll promise to f%$# ya! kayak, canoe tax my @&%. sorry about the vulgarity, folks. errrr. i'm frustrated...

What about my paddle boat... or my innertube.... we have our own boat ramp, on our own property that we pay out the a$$ in taxes just because its on a lake... hmmmmmm

I was recently told of this news story and quite frankly thought the person relaying it to me was joking. The idiocy of such a tax baffles me. I struggle as it is to find a spot to kayak that is not surrounded by yahoos who insist on blowing by on a jet ski, motorboat, or other motorized vehicle only to laugh as they try to topple me over! I have a thought, why doesn't the State of Maine pay me? I usually transport my kayaks to the area, then wrestle it off my vehicle without the use of fancy gizmos, put it in the water and then self-propel myself. Why, you ask, so I don't pollute the environment, disrupt the wildlife, and enjoy the state that I chose to live in. My brother left the State of Maine due to the over-taxing and bad planning. This is wrong on many levels. Shame on you.

To anyone that supports this bill pull your head out of you rear end and think about it. Whats next are they going to figure people to register a bicycle. People kayaking are simply trying to enjoy the awesome state we live in (enviromentally a great state NOT a great state govermentally). Kayakers are spending money in the state already we have aa world Famous kayak plant right in old town and the state still will not support us.