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Testimony of" James P. Lucier, Jr. 



Director of Hconomic Research, 



Americans for Tax Reform 



before the 



U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Resources 



Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans 



June 6, 1996 



Hearing on the proposed 



'Fish and Wildlife Conservation Enhancement Act of 1996, 



a/k/a, "The Birdwatchers' Tax" 



Let's not mince words: The Birdwatchers' Tax proposed by self-interested state wildlife 

 agencies is no way a "user fee" or "investment" in any honest sense of the word. Instead, 

 it is the classic case of government agencies and non-profit advocacy groups assuming 

 that what is good for their budgets and their established way of doing things is good for 

 the public as well. This proposal is not just bad public policy: it is silly, and deserves 

 immediate dismissal. 



The theory behind the Birdwatchers' Tax is that if you enjoy the great outdoors, you 

 should pay a user fee that goes to fund state agencies. For instance, if you buy 

 binoculars, a camera, or an Audubon guide, you should pay a special excise tax that goes 

 to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for distribution to the states. This is allegedly the 

 price you pay for being a birder. 



