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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TODAY: 4/16/08
Contact: Suzanne Redmond (315) 255-3045
FINCH STANDS UP FOR SNOWMOBILERS' RIGHTS
Investigates reappropriation of funds intended for Snowmobile
Fund
Assemblyman Gary D.
Finch (R,C - Springport) is working with colleagues to investigate the
state Budget's reappropriation of around $1
million for the Snowmobile Trail Development and Maintenance Fund.
"We need to work to make the budget process more
transparent because this loophole was stuck in a completely unrelated
area of the budget in order to sneak it in under our noses," said
Finch. "It is disgraceful to think that snowmobilers are paying
increased fees that will not be spent on improving snowmobiling, but in
some other way that the state deems to be more important."
In 2005, legislation was passed increasing snowmobile
registration fees - The Snowmobile Rights and Responsibilities Act of
2005.
However, it was not stated anywhere in the sponsor's memo that if not
used within a certain time period, the funds would be appropriated
elsewhere. It was promised that the increased fees would finance this
fund, which supports the state's 10,000 miles of public snowmobile
trails, snowmobile safety education and enforcement of the state's
snowmobile laws. However, according to Finch that promise has not been
kept.
This fund, which is paid for by snowmobilers, is
supposed to be used to improve snowmobiling in New York. However, the
remaining balance has been swept into the general fund of the budget, to
be spent at the state's discretion, a clear violation of the rights of
snowmobilers who agreed to pay this increased registration fee with the
expectation that the funds be used for their benefit.
All who wish to snowmobile in New York must pay this
registration fee, even those that are registered in other states. Any
violation of this law will result in a $200 fine, half of which is to be
deposited into the fund.
"Snowmobilers are forced to pay this fee under the
guise of a plan to improve their trails and increase education about
safety," Finch stated.
"However, it will instead be spent in other completely unrelated ways.
This is just another example of a disturbing trend in Albany. We cannot
take hard-earned dollars out of taxpayers' pockets and then lie to them
about how it is going to be spent. However, that is exactly what is
happening now.
My colleagues and I
must ensure that this appropriation is designated to the proper place
and is spent in the best interests of the snowmobilers that fund it."
Finch will be circulating two petitions, one for
lawmakers in Albany and the other for snowmobilers and concerned members
of the public to sign. A copy of the latter petition is attached here
for public use. All petitions should be returned to Assemblyman Finch's
district office at 69 South Street, Auburn, NY 13021.
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