In an effort to raise much-needed revenues during the budget crisis, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle pursued a variety of fee increases this year, many of which are part of the final two-year budget.
But one that was stricken from books during the special session of the last few days is the Department of Environmental Protection’s proposed $1-per-bushel charge for oysters.
“Totally history,” Sen. Eileen Daily, D-Westbrook, co-chairman of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee told me tonight. She said although the fee was included in the budget Democrats passed earlier this month, it was stripped from the so-called implementers – the fine print of the budget – that lawmakers have been voting on over the past two days.
The $1 fee was targeted by several lawmakers from shoreline towns in lower Fairfield County, including Sen. Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, Rep. Christopher Perone, D-Norwalk, and Rep. Terry Backer, D-Stratford.
Backer, who is heavily involved in the protection of Long Island Sound and its related industries said the estimated $40,000 in revenue from the fee did not outweigh the harm.
“Local fisherman have to compete with very low cost states like … Louisiana,” Backer said.
With restaurants cutting back during tough economic times the last thing state shellfisherman need is an added fee, Backer said.
Of course, this means it’s time for the laid-back Backer and the dress-to-impress Duff to hold another press conference with local Oystermen.
