Higher Boat Registration Fee (Tax)

[Champ]

These are proposed increased boat fees for Missouri:

$25 for vessels under 16 feet in length. Currently $10.

$55 for vessels at least 16 feet but less than 26 feet. Currently $20.

$100 for vessels at least 26 feet but less than 40 feet. Currently $30.

$150 for vessels at least 40 feet and over. Currently $40.

http://www.lakesunleader.com/articles/2006/05/02/news/01.txt

http://www.bransondailynews.com/story.php?storyID=1002

[skeeter]

Ridiculous !!! What additional services is the State of Missouri going to perform for boaters to justify this price gouge ? The State legislature is due to end their session any day now. Anyone know if this unwarranted increase passed ? I mean, what are we paying for...additional Water Patrol to keep order at party cove at Lake Ozark....nonsense.

[Champ]

Your exactly right.

The water patrol wants to replace their high $$$ cigarette boats on LOTO.

Don't punish all fisherman/pleasure boaters for the problems on 1 lake in MO.

[Wayne SW/MO]

If its for more patrolmen every where I think it would be a good thing, if its for LOZ, then they can tax them at the ramp and the dock because its not a COE lake.

[mcp633]

As a officer for a sister agency of the Missouri State Water Patrol, I feel I need to come to their defense. So here it goes...The bill did pass the House and the Senate and last I heard the Governor was going to sign it. The fee increases are going to create pay parody for the Water Patrol compared to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Currently the MSWP officers are grossly underpaid compared to the MSHP at all ranks and levels. Get a blue book from the Secretary of State's office and look it up. It's disgusting. I'm sure you all know what a tuff job these officers have. If it's not dealing with idiotic drunks with too much money and too much attitude on Lake Ozark, they are docking/trailering a boat from one location and hauling butt to a call for service 50 miles away, or working in uniform on a 90 degree day in the sun. These guys spend 12-14 hours a day on the water enforcing our laws and they deserve to be paid as well as the dedicated Troopers on the highways. Believe me, I'm no tax/fee advocate by any means, but this is not for them to buy go fast boats for the Lake of the Ozarks. This is for them to retain the well experienced and well trained officers they have on our waterways. So I say, suck it up, pay the fees, and next time you see one of my brothers in blue (uh, tan)shake their hand and let them know that you appreciate the hours they work and the job they do. Just my two cents. Sorry if I stirred anybody up, but I'm all for having the happiest well trained Water Patrolmen on the water as we can. Besides, whats $150.00 to a guy floating around on a SeaRay 580? 10 minutes of fuel?

[Phil Lilley]

I know someone's going to say it- so I'll say it and put it in a nice way. It's hard to compare a water patrolman to a highway patrolman. The risk alone either experience isn't even close. Compare deaths on the job... I have no figures but I can't recall the last time a water patrolman was killed on duty. Skills and training- I would say they're close but I have no real knowledge. I do appreciate the job they do. They both should get the highest wage possible but I would think a highway patrolman should get much more- for the risk he/she take alone.

I do, though, understand the hard work and risk water patrolmen take- please don't think I'm demeaning them at all. I just think highway patrolman are at a higher risk and should be paid more.

I'm not going to gripe too much about the higher fees- I understand them. I do hope they will patrol Taneycomo more with the increase. And by the way- it will hit marinas harder than individuals- we own 18 boats and we're small potatoes compared to others.

Babler should weigh in on this... he's a former patrolman.

[mcp633]

Phil,

With all due respect, one cannot judge the dangers of one's job alone with the amount of people being killed doing it. Anybody that puts on a uniform and polices other's behavior can be a target at any time. It is both sad and true that the MSHP lost more officers last year than any other agency in the ENTIRE country. Most due to the inattention and stupidity of a handful of people. However, whether it be a deputy from the least populated, smallest county in the state, who makes $19,000 a year, or a Captain from St. Louis County who makes $120,000 a year; when you put on the uniform, the job is the same and as dangerous and they assume the same risk. In regard to training, the MSWP officers attend the same Law Enforcement Academy here in Jefferson City as the Troopers do. Of course with the nuances of boating rather than working the road taken into account. And while the Troopers do dangerous details specific to their mission around the state (been on I-70 or 44 lately), the Water Patrol does too. Have you ever been on the water at night trying to scoop nine people out of the water after their pontoon boat capsized. My point is that all law enforcment work is dangerous, and not unique to any one agency. Besides, the Water Patrol officers are leaving to work at the MSHP because they have the same training, but can make more money. This is just a way to keeping the trained officers on the job. Also, have you seen the cost of training a Trooper or Water Patrol officer these days, I can't give you an accurate number off of the top of my head, but its a lot, and sensless for the taxpayers to loose one of those guys after we trained them.

My other two cents, I'm up to $.04 now, at this rate, I'll need a raise too.

Thanks,

Kyle

[Phil Lilley]

Point well taken. Again, I didn't mean to put water patrolman down. I respect the job they do and I do agree we need more of them to cover an increasing boat population.

Good discussion- thanks.

[mcp633]

Phil,

I respect your opinion, and do feel for you for owning several boats. It has to be hard on a small business owner like yourself. Just know that it goes for a good cause. And besides, everyone attempting to fish the float streams during an extreme alumimum hatch might appreciate the MSWP stopping the jet boats from running over you in your back cast. Remember those officers are alone, in most cases without radio or cell phone communications, and with no back up. I think I've vented enough. Thanks again for the forum to bring awareness to matters that are important to us.

Kyle

[crappiefisherman]

thank goodness for the water patrol, highway patrol and day care workers.all do their jobs, all have to be paid.I admit boat fees going up do upset me , but its seems very little compared to food , gas, etc.I would like to see a water patrol on bull shoals on missouri side occasionaaly though.just cause its a quiet lake compared to lake of the ozarks or table rock dont mean it doesnt get stupid out there.they dont ned a cigerete boat down there either.a good open bow boat and a friendly wave will do more for respect then fast boat and attitude.lilley help me off the stump , I seem to have climbed too high