[Airwaves]

I have suggested this in the past as a cost effective way to enhance the Marine Patrol staffing with professional police officers and the Marine Patrol budget.

Merge the Marine Patrol into the NH State Police force. The Marine Patrol would be staffed by State Troopers with additional marine training and in the off season work as troopers doing other duty.

When I first proposed this years ago it was roundly trashed, I recall one poster (I don't remember or care who) flately stated state troopers would never give up their guns to do Marine Patrol duty (I didn't bother to respond since that was a foolish post)

Bottom line. It would enhance the Marine Patrol budget because it would no longer have to rely exclusively on boat registrations for funding, and would provide the Marine Patrol with full time professional police officers instead of the seasonal...dare I say...rent a cops...that they rely on now.

So, no I wouldn't support an additional fee until this avenue is explored.