Friends:

I have some great news to tell you!  As you know, I have been working hard fighting for us and our district in Albany.  During my campaign, I pledged to fight for the repeal of the new taxes and fees imposed on us over the past two years.

One of those fees was the Saltwater Fishing License and Fee.  It really aggravated me that Albany would make fishermen get a license and pay a fee to go saltwater fishing.  Recreational and commercial saltwater fishing is one of the many great things about Long Island, and for centuries, we were able to fish without the Saltwater Fishing License and Fee.

For the last month, I worked the halls of the Capitol, day and night, to bring together a broad coalition to fight for its repeal.   I am proud to announce a three way agreement to repeal the Saltwater Fishing License Fee as part of the 2011-2012 State Budget.

You can read my press release here.

Many news outlets reported on my repeal efforts this past week.  You can read Newsday’s article here.  The New York Post article here.  The Wall Street Journal reported on it here.

News 12 Long Island even ran a story on it, which you can view here.

In fact, for delivering on this campaign promise, City Hall News named me as one of their top five political winners of the week in New York.

I would also like to thank the thousands of supporters and fishermen, including the Recreational Fishing Alliance, who called, wrote, faxed and signed our petition. Without all of your help, this may not have been possible.

I made a promise to everyone when I got elected. It’s a promise I take to heart every single day I am in Albany or in the District.  I made clear from the beginning of the budget process that I would not support any new taxes or fees and I would find a way to reduce spending.

I will continue doing absolutely everything in my power to deliver on the pledges from my 2010 campaign.

All the Best,

Lee