I know there is at least one person on the list that keeps their M-boat in a MARYLAND slip: This was sent to a list I'm on.... January 30, 2004 Dear BoatU.S. Member: Did you know that Gov. Ehrlich's budget calls for a yearly $50 per-boat slip "fee" for boats kept in Maryland marinas? The purported purpose of Governor Ehrlich's so-called "user fee" is to raise money to protect Maryland's wetlands. While restoring wetlands is a worthy undertaking that every Maryland resident should support, vessels large enough to be kept in marina slips receive no special benefits from wetlands, so we fail to understand why slip holders are being singled out to pay for this program. Commercial marinas will simply pass this new tax on to their slip holders. To add insult to injury, did you know that the state already collects millions of dollars each year from boaters in marine fuel taxes, but diverts 70% of these funds to non-boating purposes. It just doesn't seem unfair to us to ask recreational boaters to pay more when the money they're already paying isn't being used to benefit boating. Besides, Maryland boaters already pay millions each year to the state in sales and use taxes as well as boat registration and launch ramp fees. Please contact your state senators and delegates immediately to let them know of your opposition to this proposal. For more information go to http://www.BoatUS.com/gov and click on the state news alert section for a sample letter on the issue and a listing of your state legislators. Ask your representatives if you can count on them to just say 'NO' to the boat slip tax. Dick Thompson Associate Director, State Affairs BoatU.S. 880 South Pickett St. Alexandria, VA 22304 Tel: 703.461.2864 Fax: 703.461.2845 E-mail: DThompson@BoatUS.com