(The Center Square) – It didn’t take long for Michigan House Republicans to say no to a Senate plan that requires recreational passports for hikes, hunting and fishing licenses in the state.
Reps. Ken Borton, R-Gaylord, and David Martin, R-Davison, called the proposed Department of Natural Resources budget dead on arrival in the House, saying it increases costs for Michiganders by $84 million.
“This is the most unserious, disappointing, and embarrassing budget proposal I’ve seen in a very long time,” Borton, who chairs the House budget committee for the DNR, said. “They didn’t just kick the hornet’s nest; they shoved their entire head in and headed straight for a bear den. Too bad no one will be able to afford a bear hunting license after their budget plan.”
For Michigan residents, the annual vehicle passport fee is $14 and $7 for a motorcycle. A year ago, only about a third of all Michigan drivers bought the passport, which gives holders access to state parks, recreation areas, boating access sites, campgrounds and other areas for a year.
The Senate, controlled by Democrats, wants the fee to be mandatory for all state drivers, basically adding an additional licensing fee.
“I’ll always be opposed to burdening Michigan residents with excessive fees,” Martin said. “As chair of the Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism, I want both our citizens and visitors to enjoy Michigan’s natural wonders and make memories with their families. Our constituents should not be penalized for choosing to put food on the table or enjoying Michigan’s great outdoor attractions.”
Earlier this year, Borton threatened to zero out the entire DNR budget if proposals contained what he called radical fee increases.
“The Senate DNR budget is bipartisan; whoop-de-doo,” Borton said. “Don’t think that just because a Republican put their name on this that I won’t still defund the DNR into oblivion. This isn’t a policy proposal; it’s a DNR tax.”
