Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.sports From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Bush repeals boat user fee Date: Tue, 3 Nov 92 15:19:55 EST Message-ID: \SE D;SPORTS \HD Bush repeals boat user fee \BY Gene Mueller \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES From Air Force One, President Bush yesterday sent word that he signed a repeal of the controversial federal boat user fee that cost boaters anywhere from $25 to $100 a year, depending on the length of their craft. The 2-year-old fee was considered to be an unfair, thinly disguised federal tax by many of the more than four million boaters it affected. Though the fee was enforced by the U.S. Coast Guard, none of the funds were directed to boating or Coast Guard safety programs. The fee mostly affected small-boaters, those with craft of up to 20 feet who, in addition to state registrations and high fuel taxes, had to pay an additional $25 every year or face stiff fines and arrest if they didn't display a sticker showing the tax was paid. It is believed that the small boats are immediately exempt from further tax sticker requirements, with the larger boats (and bigger fees) being phased out next year and the following year. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM