Conference unifix::sailing

    Ah yes, this topic has been in numerous publications.  It's discussed
    in several of the reports I get from BOAT/US every month.
    
    The sad part is, they're calling it a "user fee", but you don't get
    anything for your money ... except that nice warm feeling that comes
    from giving the government more of your hard-earned dollars.  The money
    does not go to the Coast Guard, or anything else that has to do
    specifically with boating.
    
    There's a lobby fighting for repeal of this fee, but they don't seem to
    be making much headway.
    
    I'll dig up some of my BOAT/US reports (if I've saved them anyway) and
    post some more details.
    
    ... Bob
    

>>>    There's a lobby fighting for repeal of this fee, but they don't seem to
>>>    be making much headway.
    
It's been determined by several groups, including at least one GAO office,
that administration and enformcement of this law will cost substantially
more than the maximum anticipated revenue. 

To quote Yakov Smirnoff: "What a country!"

J.

    Well, I couldn't find my BOAT/US reports last night.  Which means
    either I threw them out or I put them somewhere where I wouldn't lose
    them ... ;^)
    
    As to the cost of administration/enforcement vs antipicated revenue, I
    think that'll simply give them justification to raise the rates higher
    and higher each year until people start giving up boating as a
    recreation.
    
    Does anyone else in here belong to BOAT/US.  Those reports contained
    some good information about which congressmen support/drive this bill
    and which ones oppose it.  There was a BOAT/US membership write-in
    campaign, and one of those reports told you which senators to write to
    express your views on this so-called "user fee".
    
    ... Bob
    

Bob,

>>>    As to the cost of administration/enforcement vs antipicated revenue, I
>>>    think that'll simply give them justification to raise the rates higher
>>>    and higher each year until people start giving up boating as a
>>>    recreation.
    
The industry is trying to gather evidence that the new luxury tax is 
impacting sales to the point that total revenue is below pre-L.T. levels, 
and that the cost of unemployment insurance and other benefits for 
laid-off workers exceeds the luxury tax income.  I've read somewhere that 
this is generally acknowledged in the industry and by industry analysts;
the problem is organizing proof of it. 

User fee?  *BANG!*  Got that foot good!
Luxury tax?  *BANG!*  There...Got the other one, too!

J.

    Just what I need...***ANOTHER*** mandatory sticker.
    
    

    
        Bob
    
       I belong to Boat US. They say they have the bill killed because of
    the backlash. There is a second bill being introduced to kill the first
    one. We'll see.
    
       The problem I have is the actual backlash Boat US has been mounting.
    People carping over a fee that equates to a round of wine coolers at
    the club. I agree they should call it a tax and be done with it. The
    thing that really gets me irked is that people yelling the loudest seem
    to be the folks who own 40-60 foot toys, not dingy sailors or bass boat
    anglers. These are the same people who get a 4,000 dollar rebate on 
    interest from their boat payments cause they are called second homes.
    No other country has such a loophole.
    
       These are the same people who say the luxury tax causes people not
    to buy new boats. I believe people are out of work, but it is the
    uncertain economy and not the tax that is causing it.
    
       I read my Boat US catalog and see stupid acrylic wine goblets with
    my monograms engraved on it for the the cost of this "fee" (ie tax).
    I also see a lot of bad on the other side of that yacht club parking
    lot. People scratching for a living. As I get older I find myself more
    and more humble to have the good lord spare me the predictament many of
    these folks have. 
    
       Balance the budget and everyone wins. Make Congress call it a tax 
    instead of a fee and maybe Congress will not think we are as stupid
    as we seem (ie see how much money Terminator 2 is grossing???). Isolate
    the cretan who snuck the fee into the budget discussions after it had
    been to committee as a sleeze ball . I just like to see the money spent 
    wisely for once instead of it going to the general grab bag.
    
       time to cast off...
    
    
         john

    Can we possibly limit the comments to sailing, not what people's
    opinions are of what constitutes an equitable redistribution of wealth?

    Has anyone in the Notes conf paid the tax yet ?    I'm debating if
    it's worth it as my boat comes out early each year.
    
    It looks like the tax/fee is on the block to be repealed when the
    congress comes back in Sept, however I wonder if we would ever see
    a rebate once the dollars are paid.
    
    Frank

    
    	Was dismayed to read about the passage in the BOAT-US rag. I think
    it said something like the coasties wouldn't begin hassling people `til
    September? 
    
    	It is silly that it goes to some sort of `general fund'. I sure
    would like to see some of the gov't receipts.
    
    	On second thought, my blood pressure's high enough already...
    
    	What sort of `Tea Party' could be staged?
    
    	Scott_Scofflaw

    I called the 800 number, gave them my credit card and last Saturday
    received my green decal "C".  $50.00 seemed a better alternative than
    the fine should they enforce it.
    
    Sunday I had a message from the decal office on my voicemail saying
    they must have gotten my credit card number wrong and cannot process
    it.  Gee, should I call them back or not...?
    
    Hank

    Maybe the callback is a scam from someone else to get your credit card
    number. 
    
    b
    

I asked about getting my $'s back if the las was repealled and was told that the 
 repeal would not take affect until 1992, if passed, and the decal was for 1991 so they keep the
the bucks

    re: .11
    
    maybe the _law_ is a scam to get your credit card #  :-)
    
    are the coasties charged with enforcement on the high seas, in harbors
    and along coastal waters?  or does some other law enforcemnt body have
    jurisdiction ??   can you imagine the impact of a revenue cutter in the
    Annisquam??
    
    

    re .13
     
        Sail magazine said the coast guard would be doing the dirty work.
    
       Now till Aug 30th, they will give you a phamlet saying you need a
    sticker. After that you have 30 days to prove you had paid the fee, or
    they can fine you up to $5000.
    
    john

    One thought on paying the fee.   I have a documented boat, which means
    dealing with the USCG on renewal every year.
    
    They just might compare files on paid up fees and documentation
    renewals.
    
    Sounds like it's going to have to be paid in any case.  :o(
    

    
    	Just redocumented- no mention of the fee. But it may not yet be
    really gelled....
    	Anyway I see a <50% hit ratio this year, more next year, etc.
    
    	Fee will probably increase too, right?
    
    	Also, licencing is spreading- no argument with the theory, just the
    yearly fee they add, and the p*ss-poor training I've heard that states
    use as a `driver's ed'.
    
    	Whoops sorry that's another topic. Now where's my wallet?
    
    	Voice_o'_doom

    
    
       With all this confusion and only a couple of weeks left to the
    season, sure looks like a great business opportunity to crank out
    a couple thousand "grey market" decals ;>) ;>)
    
       On a more serious note, how long will it be till some poor daysailor
    who gets out 1-2 times a year and doesn't read the sail magazines gets
    nailed while on vacation labor day weekend by the sticker nazis ??
    
       a 5K fine sure would wipe the smile off of my face real quick no
    matter how hard the wind was blowing...  
    
        john

    I ordered my sticker last friday. It showed up Wednesday. 
    
    At least they are quick about it. 
    
    On the end of the sticker is an extra section with the serial number that
    says "hold on to this for your records". I guess it's for my future
    rebate ;>)
    
    If this is a fee, maybe they could use the serial numbers for a drawing 
    like Publisher's clearing house. Winner gets their choice of any of the
    boats confiscated from drug arrests. You know, the ones you can buy of
    a penny on the dollar!!  Doesn't cost the government anything, and
    people will be flocking to get in on the lottery!!! 
    
    many ;>)  
    
      john

    The Boat US newsletter indicates that they have file a suit
    against the user fee.  Their arguments sound good and of course
    they have established a fund to which you may help with the legal fees.
    
    I have not yet attached my sticker, but if I must, it will
    "accidentally" be displayed upsidedown...small gesture of protest.
    
    

    I noiticed the Coasties out both last weekend and the weekend before.
    And I hadn't seen them since the beginning of the season. Any word on
    whether they are stopping people and checking?
    
    Gregg

    The Coasties would be very busy.  I read an article in the Middlesex
    News last weekend that said 95% of the boating public was ignoring
    the sticker requirements.  Looks like I'm in the majority for once!
    

Well, we paid the tax and have the stickers properly applied. It seems
fiancially less risky than not doing do. All the Coast Guard needs to do
is use the IRS tax compliance strategy -- fear. If the CG whacks a few
owners with big fines and makes sure that there is lots of publicity,
the 95% ignoring the law will quickly decide to comply, especially since
it is so easy to determine who has/hasn't paid. How many automobiles to
you see on the roads without valid inspection decals? 

    I never heard of a person getting slapped with a $5000 fine for not
    having a current auto inspection sticker. People also realize the
    importance of having safe vehicles on the road. I don't know anyone who
    feels that there is any logical reason for this "fee".
    Now if you want to call it a tax.......
    
    
    John (who is still protesting by not complying)

    I was out on Narragansett Bay last Saturday, Sept 7, and noticed the CG
    darting hither and yon all day in a small, but fast launch, stopping
    boats.  I thought that they might be checking for overboard dumping,
    but guess that it was for the sticker. Since I sail through a sailing
    club, I was not too worried, and the boat had the sticker.
    
    Paul

    NEVER.
    
    Dave

    re. 24
    
    Yeah, I'm sure the CG was checking for stickers.  With the same vigor
    they check for proper holding tanks.
    
    

    It sure helps me sleep better at night knowing that our
    government is out there protecting me from all those
    non-fee payers........
    
    Joe

    We should be happy that we don't get all the government we pay for.

    YUp, I got mine.     Don't need the hassle when I'm on the water.
    
    But I did write letters to Sen Hollings and Kerry .  The best we
    can do is support the Boat Us  suit and keep the pressure on
    our congress and senate to dump this turkey.
    
    I find you get answers to your letter when you do them in longhand !
    The form letters to the reps tend to get talleyed, signed letters
    do better and old fashioned ones seem to make it up the chain.
    (ah junk Mail !)
    
    We have to raise hell on  this issue, or we will get fee'd to death.
    
    Its happening all over the US of A, "fee" or even targeted taxes(ie;
    gas tax, airline, **) which magically end up in the twilight zone of
    the general fund.
    
    Just remember the promises make over Marine Chart prices a few years
    back !!
    
    :((

    
       Along with all my new spring catalogs, I got a renewal notice from
    uncle sam for my NEW sticker. Time to open the old wallet. Too bad I
    cann't just check off a box on my income tax to subtract the TAX and
    automatically send me my sticker along with my refund!
    
       john

    I suggest you not give "them" (the Gov.) any ideas about automatic
    subtractions from my account(s).
    
    Jeff