LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Joseph Bellino this week voted against two measures that would increase fees on 20 Michigan hunting and fishing licenses by $29.4 million.
“These fee increases are unnecessary, counterproductive and harmful,” said Bellino, R-Monroe. “The number of hunters in Michigan is declining. We should be encouraging more people to hunt and fish in our state — not making it more expensive for Michigan families.
“Most of these fee increases are between 20% and 50%, which is especially hard on folks who rely on hunting and fishing to feed their families and who are still reeling from years of increased prices on almost everything.”
Among the fee increases for Michigan residents included in Senate Bills 276 and 277, the cost of a hunting and fishing combination license would rise by 33%, a base hunting license would increase by 50%, and an annual all-species fishing license would go up by 20%.
“The Michigan Department of Natural Resources should more efficiently use the funding it is already getting or look at ways to increase hunting and fishing participation — instead of simply charging people more money,” Bellino said.
###