Democratic NH governor under fire for 'turkey tax'

Democratic New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan is under fire for leading the charge to implement a “turkey tax” on hunters that could triple the fees Granite State residents have to pay to hunt the Thanksgiving Day staple.

Hassan, who announced in October that she plans on running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Kelly Ayotte in 2016, voted five times to significantly increase the fees that New Hampshire hunters and fishers must pay for their state licenses, a move that has increased financial pressure on those who make a living from the trade.

Hassan’s efforts to boost these taxes have drawn criticism from advocacy groups and Republicans in the state, who accuse the governor of attempting to penalize outdoorsmen of all stripes.

“Hunting and fishing are quintessential New Hampshire pastimes, and Maggie Hassan’s record shows she is no friend to Granite State sportsmen,” America Rising, a conservative PAC, stated in a recent press release. “Voting for massive hikes on hunting and fishing fees to pay for more government spending is the Maggie Hassan Way, not the New Hampshire Way.”

Hassan voted in favor of the Trailer Bill in 2007. The legislation would have tripled the amount that in-state hunters have to pay for wild turkey hunting applications, boosting the fee from from $5 to $15.

Out-of-state individuals would have seen their application fees grow from $5 to $30 as a result of the legislation. Similarly, non-resident moose hunting application fees would have been increased to $450 under the legislation.

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