From: Allison Scott <scotta@assembly.state.ny.us>
Subject: Assemblyman Hawley Delivers for Snowmobilers!
To: Undisclosed-Recipient@yahoo.com
Date: Friday, July 11, 2008, 1:15 PM

 

HAWLEY DELIVERS FOR SNOWMOBILERS

After the Assemblyman Delivers Hundreds

of Signed Petitions to Executive Chamber, Governor Listens



Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R, I, C - Batavia) applauded the announcement
today that Governor Paterson came to an agreement with state agencies
regarding protecting the Snowmobile Trail Development and Maintenance Fund.
Hawley led a statewide effort calling on the Governor to return the $1
million swiped from the fund and recently delivered thousands of signed
petitions, from all across New York State, to the Governor's chambers in
the
State Capitol.



"This is great news for the snowmobilers and other concerned citizens of
this state.  While the Governor's agreement with state agencies does not
immediately return the funds, as we had hoped, the agreement ensures that
this type of funds 'swipe' will never happen to snowmobilers again. 
This is
what I called for in my legislation and I hope that when the State
Legislature reconvenes, we can pass my bill to ensure that not just
snowmobilers, but all dedicated funds are protected," said Hawley. 
"This is
a true testament to what can be achieved when we work together - both the
public and their representations.  This is quite an accomplishment for all
the snowmobilers of the state and all the supportive residents who helped us
in holding Albany accountable."



The agreement specifically calls on the Office of Parks, Recreation and
Historic Preservation (OPRHP) put in place new procedures to ensure that
funds paid to the state each year for snowmobile registration fees will be
dedicated to trail maintenance and other related program activities.  This
part of the agreement is nearly exactly the same language as in Hawley's
legislation, Assembly Bill 10732, to prevent the transfer of funds from
accounts that are specifically supported with a dedicated fee, such as the
Snowmobile Trail Development and Maintenance Fund.  The Assemblyman's bill,
in contrast to the Governor's agreement, would protect all dedicated funds.



            Hawley also spearheaded a statewide petition drive, which
collected thousands of signatures from concerned New Yorkers, as well as
personally circulating a petition to state lawmakers, asking for their
support in immediately returning the funds.  Over 60 members of the
Assembly, from both sides of the aisle, signed the petition.  Although the
Governor's agreement does not immediately return the funds, the $1 million
will eventually be returned to local snowmobile clubs by reducing the amount
of the fund that OPRHP and the Department of Environmental Conservation are
currently authorized to spend ($1.1 million).  Over the next three years,
the agencies will gradually reduce the amount they take from the account by
$200,000 in 2008-09, $400,000 in 2009-10, and $400,000 in 2010-11.



            Additionally, by correcting a sort of "accounting error,"
the
agreement is projected to increase local snowmobile trail maintenance grants
from $2.87 million in 2007-08 to $5.34 million in 2008-09.  The error
stemmed from the fact that the annual funding given to local snowmobile
clubs was determined by the previous year's revenues.  With the snowmobile
revenues increasing annually, local snowmobile clubs did not received their
due share in grants.  While the agreement corrects this error, it does not
stipulate whether or not the miscalculated previous years' grants will also
be corrected.



            "As pleased that I am that the state has come to an agreement
about protecting the snowmobilers, I think this whole process has raised
other concerns as well.  From day 1, I have been calling on the state to not
just enact provisions to protect dedicated funds or to return the money.
But I have also been tackling the issue of why there ever was a surplus in
the fund to begin with.  Year after year the snowmobile fund revenues are
exceeding its expenditures - which tells me that the residents of our state
are being charged too much for their snowmobile registration fees.  It is
great news that Albany has fixed their 'accounting errors' but saying
the
fund is being doubled is misleading.  This is money that rightfully belongs
to the men and women of our state's snowmobile clubs.  If the clubs
can't
spend it, give it back to the snowmobilers themselves or let's stop taking
the money from them in the first place," stated Hawley, who is currently
drafting legislation to reduce or eliminate the fees for snowmobilers.

It is my pleasure to transmit to you the attached press release from David Paterson, Governor of New York State, regarding the NYS Snowmobile Trail Fund. Also attached is the official NYSSA press release as well as speaking points that represent NYSSA’s official positions on the subject of the governor’s release.

 

I have had the privilege of working very closely with the NYSSA leadership team over the past several months to respond to the snowmobile trail fund budget situation. Through these efforts, and with the partnership of the NYS legislature, we have been successful in communicating our concerns to state officials representing OPRHP, the Division of Budget (DOB) and the office of the governor. In response to these discussions, the governor’s press release highlights 3 key actions:

 

1. The NYS snowmobile trail grants process will be revised to ensure that in the future, snowmobile registration fees will be spent solely on trail maintenance and related activities.
2. The DOB and OPRHP have projected that grant payments to clubs will increase from $2.8 million in 2007-2008 to $5.3 million in 2008-2009. This represents an 85% increase in funding to the clubs.
3. Over the next three seasons, the governor has directed that $1 million from OPRP and DEC snowmobile trail funding be diverted into the snowmobile trail development and maintenance fund.

 

The governor himself has characterized these actions as a “big win for NY snowmobilers”, and I could not agree more. Your elected officials, representatives of state agencies, and NYSSA leadership have all worked together to improve the state of snowmobiling in New York. This partnership is important. Therefore, it is vitally important that we all understand the need to speak with one voice when responding to questions from club members, leaders, the media and the general public. Please review the attached information very carefully so that you will be able to answer any inquiries, as well as to properly communicate our success.

 

We are successful because NYSSA and its members spoke with one voice when addressing the NYS budget process to our elected leaders; it is critical that we as leaders of NYSSA continue to demonstrate this unity. We will be preparing additional information as we move forward into the upcoming season’s activity. Part of our next steps will include expressing thanks to those who helped us to achieve the big win that the governor spoke of. In particular, we will want to reach out to the governor, and all of the legislators who provided positive leadership on behalf of snowmobiling. You will hear more about these follow-up items during the NYSSA board call this Saturday.

 

Let us not forget to thank those who have partnered with us and helped us to protect and improve snowmobiling in New York State. I ask you to join me in thanking our advocates in the Capitol Group: Nick Barella, Tim Sheridan and Bruce Geiger. Without their relationships with key individuals in Albany, and their complete grasp of the processes and inner workings on the government of NY, we would not have come out on top. Rory Whelan of Whelan Media Strategies, our public relations and media strategist, has provided invaluable counsel and is also deserving of our gratitude. I also want to personally thank Jim Jennings and Dave Perkins, NYSSA executive director and trails coordinator, and Gary Broderick, NYSSA vice-president, for their role in helping me to lead us forward.

 

What should not be lost in our discussions, however, is to make sure that we thank the snowmobilers of New York. It is truly because of their dedication to the issues we face, and the tremendous grass-roots efforts in contacting their elected leaders, that we have succeeded. It is the 100,000 snowmobilers who participate in our sport, and who are responsible for the $1 billion economic engine that is New York snowmobiling that are most deserving of our gratitude. As we move ahead we must take the opportunity to thank the club members and their families who took the time to make their voice heard in Albany.

 

Please contact me or Jim Jennings if you have any questions. I thank each of you for your trust and support.

 

With congratulations and warm regards,

Mike Fischer

 

 

Michael Fischer, President

New York State Snowmobile Association