I was looking at the site again today and here is the latest,
Now is the time to sent the snail mail letters to you reps.
2008 MRR Legislation
User-funded Implementation of Legislative Audit Recommendations and MRR's Five Standards
2/20/08
STATE CAPITAL - Working with Representative Alice Hausman and other legislators, MRR has drafted two pieces of legislation, both of which repeal gas-tax funding of motorized recreation and provide for user-funded implementation of standards for protecting our state from the unwanted effects of motorized recreation. One bill implements the recommendations of the Office of the Legislative Auditor's Program Evaluation Report: State Funded Trails for Motorizec Recreation. A second bill prioritizes user-funds to implement MRR's Five Standards for Protecting Minnesota from the Unwanted Effects of Motorized Recreation. Both bills will be introduced in the coming days.
Two MRR bills to be introduced in coming days
MRR Legislation Repeals Gas-tax Diversions to Motorized Recreation. User-funded Implementation of Recommendations - Legislative Auditor's Report, State Funded Trails for Motorized Recreation http://www.mnresponsiblerec.org/legislatio...LegAuditRec.pdf
MRR Legislation Repeals Gas-tax Diversionsto Motorized Recreation. User-funded Implementation of MRR's Five Standards for Protecting Minnesota from the Unwanted Effects of Motorized Recreation http://www.mnresponsiblerec.org/legislatio...t5Standards.pdf
keep up the good work getting out the word and make plans to attend the meeting in march
Doug
Full Version: The latest from the MRR web site
Top.
Riders!!!
This is too important to overlook. If this passes........good bye trail system in Minnesota. It's that serious.
If you have never contacted your state senator, or state representative, now is the time. This is a STATE ISSUE, not national (yet )
Riders!!!
This is too important to overlook. If this passes........good bye trail system in Minnesota. It's that serious.
If you have never contacted your state senator, or state representative, now is the time. This is a STATE ISSUE, not national (yet )
C'mon guys start writing those letters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keep this on top ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keep this on top ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
QUOTE(Minnesota Flats @ Feb 22 2008, 08:59 PM) 
Top.
Riders!!!
This is too important to overlook. If this passes........good bye trail system in Minnesota. It's that serious.
If you have never contacted your state senator, or state representative, now is the time. This is a STATE ISSUE, not national (yet )
Riders!!!
This is too important to overlook. If this passes........good bye trail system in Minnesota. It's that serious.
If you have never contacted your state senator, or state representative, now is the time. This is a STATE ISSUE, not national (yet )
Do other states get money for there trails from there state gas tax?
My letters have already been sent, see you ALL at the meeting!
I just read MRR website and it blows me away that they think we shouldn't be entitled to OUR money that we rightfully put into that fund everytime we fill our sleds up at the pump.
Does anybody have a template to what should be written, to our state reps. This is my first time doing this.
How do we find out who our state reps are?
Does anybody have a template to what should be written, to our state reps. This is my first time doing this.
How do we find out who our state reps are?
QUOTE(01zrtman @ Feb 23 2008, 07:54 AM)
I just read MRR website and it blows me away that they think we shouldn't be entitled to OUR money that we rightfully put into that fund everytime we fill our sleds up at the pump.
Does anybody have a template to what should be written, to our state reps. This is my first time doing this.
How do we find out who our state reps are?
Does anybody have a template to what should be written, to our state reps. This is my first time doing this.
How do we find out who our state reps are?
http://geo.commissions.leg.state.mn.us/districts/start.html
I asked for a template last week but haven't seen one yet...
I have a post on snowest.com/minnesota relating to this issue. With some details of the KEY points. This may answer some of your questions.
Use the legislator look-up link that Pear Head posted, to find out who to send to.
A point I didn't hit hard enough is the economic impact state-wide to communities that need snowmobile riders bringing money into their communities in winter months.
I would think local Chambers of Commerce would be opposed to MRR's proposed legislation.
On Snowest I am "Snowizard."
My gas tax post on Snowest.
I called a MNUSA officer and asked about a 'template', but I got the impression they don't want to put one up on their website, enabling the "other side" to get clues about MNUSA strategy.
Perhaps if you e-mailed MNUSA they would e-mail you back some info. Dunno for sure.
If the link doesn't work, below is the text of what I wrote.
.....................................................
RED Alert!!
The eco-extreme organization from Duh-luth , MRR, has already drafted a bill to be introduced into the legislature VERY soon, to have the "unrefunded highway gas tax" that we pay each time we fill up a sled, motorcycle, or boat taken away from the Grant-In-Aid trail system.
They arrogantly call themselves "Minnesotans for Responsible Recreation."
"Responsible" as THEY define it.
Some refer to them as Minnesotans for Ridiculous Restrictions, but they are to be taken seriously.
This will completely kill the trail system in the State
There will be NO money for grooming or trail maintenance, and no money for additional new trails obviously.
This tax money belongs to you and me. MRR is lying about it coming from the general tax revenues. We could keep receipts and get a refund, or let the DNR use it to fund trails and other snowmobile related endeavours, as in been the common practive for decades.
Snowmobiling gets (read carefully) "one percent OF one percent'" of the unrefunded gas tax. This provides about $4 Million Dollars, not including sled registrations and trail permits that funds the GIA system.
So in effect MRR is proposing that our own gas tax money not be used as we have a right to.
If you have never contacted your State legislators, NOW is the time
Use this link to find who represents you.
http://geo.commissions.leg.state.mn....cts/start.html
Here is text from MRR, (I borrowed this from a post on hardcoresledder.com )
Minnesota forum:
2008 MRR Legislation
User-funded Implementation of Legislative Audit Recommendations and MRR's Five Standards
2/20/08
STATE CAPITAL - Working with Representative Alice Hausman and other legislators, MRR has drafted two pieces of legislation, both of which repeal gas-tax funding of motorized recreation and provide for user-funded implementation of standards for protecting our state from the unwanted effects of motorized recreation. One bill implements the recommendations of the Office of the Legislative Auditor's Program Evaluation Report: State Funded Trails for Motorizec Recreation. A second bill prioritizes user-funds to implement MRR's Five Standards for Protecting Minnesota from the Unwanted Effects of Motorized Recreation. Both bills will be introduced in the coming days.
Two MRR bills to be introduced in coming days
MRR Legislation Repeals Gas-tax Diversions to Motorized Recreation. User-funded Implementation of Recommendations - Legislative Auditor's Report, State Funded Trails for Motorized Recreation
MRR Legislation Repeals Gas-tax Diversionsto Motorized Recreation. User-funded Implementation of MRR's Five Standards for Protecting Minnesota from the Unwanted Effects of Motorized Recreation
http://www.mnresponsiblerec.org/legi...egAuditRec.pdf
http://www.mnresponsiblerec.org/legi...5Standards.pdf
Read the above links to understand what they are proposing.
Then Call, write, email your state legislators in the next few DAYS, not weeks.
..........................................
Use the legislator look-up link that Pear Head posted, to find out who to send to.
A point I didn't hit hard enough is the economic impact state-wide to communities that need snowmobile riders bringing money into their communities in winter months.
I would think local Chambers of Commerce would be opposed to MRR's proposed legislation.
On Snowest I am "Snowizard."
My gas tax post on Snowest.
I called a MNUSA officer and asked about a 'template', but I got the impression they don't want to put one up on their website, enabling the "other side" to get clues about MNUSA strategy.
Perhaps if you e-mailed MNUSA they would e-mail you back some info. Dunno for sure.
If the link doesn't work, below is the text of what I wrote.
.....................................................
RED Alert!!
The eco-extreme organization from Duh-luth , MRR, has already drafted a bill to be introduced into the legislature VERY soon, to have the "unrefunded highway gas tax" that we pay each time we fill up a sled, motorcycle, or boat taken away from the Grant-In-Aid trail system.
They arrogantly call themselves "Minnesotans for Responsible Recreation."
"Responsible" as THEY define it.
Some refer to them as Minnesotans for Ridiculous Restrictions, but they are to be taken seriously.
This will completely kill the trail system in the State
There will be NO money for grooming or trail maintenance, and no money for additional new trails obviously.
This tax money belongs to you and me. MRR is lying about it coming from the general tax revenues. We could keep receipts and get a refund, or let the DNR use it to fund trails and other snowmobile related endeavours, as in been the common practive for decades.
Snowmobiling gets (read carefully) "one percent OF one percent'" of the unrefunded gas tax. This provides about $4 Million Dollars, not including sled registrations and trail permits that funds the GIA system.
So in effect MRR is proposing that our own gas tax money not be used as we have a right to.
If you have never contacted your State legislators, NOW is the time
Use this link to find who represents you.
http://geo.commissions.leg.state.mn....cts/start.html
Here is text from MRR, (I borrowed this from a post on hardcoresledder.com )
Minnesota forum:
2008 MRR Legislation
User-funded Implementation of Legislative Audit Recommendations and MRR's Five Standards
2/20/08
STATE CAPITAL - Working with Representative Alice Hausman and other legislators, MRR has drafted two pieces of legislation, both of which repeal gas-tax funding of motorized recreation and provide for user-funded implementation of standards for protecting our state from the unwanted effects of motorized recreation. One bill implements the recommendations of the Office of the Legislative Auditor's Program Evaluation Report: State Funded Trails for Motorizec Recreation. A second bill prioritizes user-funds to implement MRR's Five Standards for Protecting Minnesota from the Unwanted Effects of Motorized Recreation. Both bills will be introduced in the coming days.
Two MRR bills to be introduced in coming days
MRR Legislation Repeals Gas-tax Diversions to Motorized Recreation. User-funded Implementation of Recommendations - Legislative Auditor's Report, State Funded Trails for Motorized Recreation
MRR Legislation Repeals Gas-tax Diversionsto Motorized Recreation. User-funded Implementation of MRR's Five Standards for Protecting Minnesota from the Unwanted Effects of Motorized Recreation
http://www.mnresponsiblerec.org/legi...egAuditRec.pdf
http://www.mnresponsiblerec.org/legi...5Standards.pdf
Read the above links to understand what they are proposing.
Then Call, write, email your state legislators in the next few DAYS, not weeks.
..........................................
They fail to mention that the money allocated to snowmobile trails and clubs and the DNR is calculated on the estimate of how much of the total gasoline used in Minnesota is burned by ATV's, boats, snowmobiles, etc.
If they don't want that gas tax money going to fund trails and grooming, then why don't they suggest that those vehicles be exempt from the gas tax? Sounds like they want the money, but they don't like where it's going at the moment.
Should this happen to go through, why not have a check-off system, similar to soybean sales in Iowa. Every time a settlement check is cut at the elevator, a portion of the proceeds goes to a fund that promotes the use of, and researches new uses for, soybeans. The same could be done with snowmobiles, ATV's, boats, etc. Every time you fill up, you pay the same amount as everyone else. However, that gas "tax" money is earmarked to go towards where it was headed in the first place--snowmobile clubs, trail maintenance, etc. No sense giving them any money that wasn't theirs in the first place.
As a former resident of Minnesota, this truly disturbs me. It violates the number one rule of achieving success at any level: "Don't crap in your own nest." If this goes down the way they want it to, it's going to cost Minnesota dearly. There will be a lot of out-of-state revenue lost, not only in consumer spending, but also in their almighty gas tax. Also, the loss of jobs in the tourism industry would be crippling to Northeastern Minnesota, not to mention the effect it will have on dealerships of recreational vehicles.
You might as well package all that money up and mail it right to Wisconsin and Michigan.
If they don't want that gas tax money going to fund trails and grooming, then why don't they suggest that those vehicles be exempt from the gas tax? Sounds like they want the money, but they don't like where it's going at the moment.
Should this happen to go through, why not have a check-off system, similar to soybean sales in Iowa. Every time a settlement check is cut at the elevator, a portion of the proceeds goes to a fund that promotes the use of, and researches new uses for, soybeans. The same could be done with snowmobiles, ATV's, boats, etc. Every time you fill up, you pay the same amount as everyone else. However, that gas "tax" money is earmarked to go towards where it was headed in the first place--snowmobile clubs, trail maintenance, etc. No sense giving them any money that wasn't theirs in the first place.
As a former resident of Minnesota, this truly disturbs me. It violates the number one rule of achieving success at any level: "Don't crap in your own nest." If this goes down the way they want it to, it's going to cost Minnesota dearly. There will be a lot of out-of-state revenue lost, not only in consumer spending, but also in their almighty gas tax. Also, the loss of jobs in the tourism industry would be crippling to Northeastern Minnesota, not to mention the effect it will have on dealerships of recreational vehicles.
You might as well package all that money up and mail it right to Wisconsin and Michigan.
Some helpful background info on trail funding in MN.
From the MNUSA website: http://mnsnowmobiler.org/index.php?pageid=98
................................................................................
.......
Funding & MaintainingTrails
MnUSA Fact Sheet
Maintaining Minnesota Snowmobile Trails
Through the efforts of snowmobile volunteers across the state, Minnesotan and visitors alike enjoy over 20,000 miles of groomed snowmobile trails. The maintenance of approximately 90% of these trails is the responsibility of snowmobile clubs and Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association (MnUSA) volunteers. MnUSA is the statewide organization that supports the clubs and volunteers as the voice at the legislature, promoting positive legislation to proect, enhance and fund our trail system. MnUSA depends upon membership dues to fund these activities.
MnUSA provides answers to the following frequently asked questions about trail building, maintenance and snowmobile trail funding in Minnesota.
What roles do volunteer snowmobile clubs play in creating and maintaining Minnesota snowmobile trails? · Clubs map, design, construct, mark, groom and maintain approximately 18,000 miles of trails. · Clubs provide the culverts, bridges, signage, trail maps, etc. · Clubs obtain permits from land owners to use their land for the trail system. · Clubs purchase their own grooming equipment. · Club volunteers use their own equipment such as chain saws, tools, ATV's, etc. for trail maintenance work.
What role does the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) play in maintaining snowmobile trails? · DNR administers the grants for funding, providing financial assistance to the clubs. Locally controlled trails can then exist where none have before. · DNR constructs, grooms and maintains approximately 2,000 miles of the 20,000 mile snowmobile trail system.
Do snowmobile clubs receive any reimbursement for the creation and maintenance of Minnesota's snowmobile trails? · Grants are provided to the clubs based on their location in the state, average snowfall, length of season, and other criterial, including historical average reimbursement of 65 percent of equipment use and labor for snowmobile trail maintenance and 90 percent of the equipment use and labor used for grooming the trails. · The portion of expenses not covered under the grants are paid for by the clubs through fundraisers, donations, charitable gambling, etc.
Where does funding for snowmobile trails come from? · Funding comes from snowmobile registration, snowmobile trail pass and 1 percent of unrefunded gas tax which represents the tax paid on gas purchased by snowmobilers for non-highway use. This money is deposited in a dedicated snowmobile account to pay for snowmobile trails, enforcement and DNR administration.
What role can I, as a snowmobiler, have in protecting and maintaining the trails? Join a club. For information on snowmobile clubs in your area in your area, contact the MnUSA office or go to http://mnsnowmobiler.org/index.php?pageid=92 . Join MnUSA. For more information contact the MnUSA office or go to https://secure10.mysecureorder.net/mnusa/membership.php . Support and vote for candidates that support snowmobiling and recreational access to public lands.
Snowmobile Trail Funding System. Currently approximately $14.2 million is appropriated annually from the snowmobile account for the development, maintenance and operation of the state snowmobile system. $8.4 million is used to run the grant programs to the clubs. An additional $5.8 million is appropriated to the DNR for enforcement, state trails and management of the snowmobile account.
During the 2002 Legislative Session, MnUSA requested that funds be appropriated from the snowmobile account to add approximately 2500 miles of trails funded through local volunteer snowmobile clubs to the grant system. The funds were available in the snowmobile account due to an increase in unrefunded gas tax and the increased number of registered snowmobiles. Many of these locally funded trails are in the western part of the state and these areas benefit greatly from the economic impact of the growth of winter tourism.
During the 2005 Legislative Session the trail pass requirement previously for just out of state visitors was expanded to include all snowmobiles ridden on trails in Minnesota, including by Minnesota residents. These additional funds are used to groom and maintain grant-in-aid trails and provide a portion of the requested increase in reimbursement for grooming and equipment used in maintaining trails.
The grants to the clubs provide reimbursement for a portion of their operating costs. the grants are paid on a per mile basis to the clubs based on the area of the state where the trails are located.
Minnesota's snowmobile trail system is the backbone of winter tourism in the state. With a present grant-in-aid trail budget of $8.4 million going to the clubs to build and maintain approximately 90% of the trails, a conservative $200 million is generated in tourism dollars. A recently completed economic impact study reports the snowmobile effect on Minnesota includes 8,000 jobs with wages and salaries of $245 million; $529 million in gross state product; $1 billion in gross receipts/sales and $56 milion in state and local tax revenues. Snowmobiling is an important industry to Minnesota and adequate funding is necessary to provide the trails.
12/07
From the MNUSA website: http://mnsnowmobiler.org/index.php?pageid=98
................................................................................
.......
Funding & MaintainingTrails
MnUSA Fact Sheet
Maintaining Minnesota Snowmobile Trails
Through the efforts of snowmobile volunteers across the state, Minnesotan and visitors alike enjoy over 20,000 miles of groomed snowmobile trails. The maintenance of approximately 90% of these trails is the responsibility of snowmobile clubs and Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association (MnUSA) volunteers. MnUSA is the statewide organization that supports the clubs and volunteers as the voice at the legislature, promoting positive legislation to proect, enhance and fund our trail system. MnUSA depends upon membership dues to fund these activities.
MnUSA provides answers to the following frequently asked questions about trail building, maintenance and snowmobile trail funding in Minnesota.
What roles do volunteer snowmobile clubs play in creating and maintaining Minnesota snowmobile trails? · Clubs map, design, construct, mark, groom and maintain approximately 18,000 miles of trails. · Clubs provide the culverts, bridges, signage, trail maps, etc. · Clubs obtain permits from land owners to use their land for the trail system. · Clubs purchase their own grooming equipment. · Club volunteers use their own equipment such as chain saws, tools, ATV's, etc. for trail maintenance work.
What role does the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) play in maintaining snowmobile trails? · DNR administers the grants for funding, providing financial assistance to the clubs. Locally controlled trails can then exist where none have before. · DNR constructs, grooms and maintains approximately 2,000 miles of the 20,000 mile snowmobile trail system.
Do snowmobile clubs receive any reimbursement for the creation and maintenance of Minnesota's snowmobile trails? · Grants are provided to the clubs based on their location in the state, average snowfall, length of season, and other criterial, including historical average reimbursement of 65 percent of equipment use and labor for snowmobile trail maintenance and 90 percent of the equipment use and labor used for grooming the trails. · The portion of expenses not covered under the grants are paid for by the clubs through fundraisers, donations, charitable gambling, etc.
Where does funding for snowmobile trails come from? · Funding comes from snowmobile registration, snowmobile trail pass and 1 percent of unrefunded gas tax which represents the tax paid on gas purchased by snowmobilers for non-highway use. This money is deposited in a dedicated snowmobile account to pay for snowmobile trails, enforcement and DNR administration.
What role can I, as a snowmobiler, have in protecting and maintaining the trails? Join a club. For information on snowmobile clubs in your area in your area, contact the MnUSA office or go to http://mnsnowmobiler.org/index.php?pageid=92 . Join MnUSA. For more information contact the MnUSA office or go to https://secure10.mysecureorder.net/mnusa/membership.php . Support and vote for candidates that support snowmobiling and recreational access to public lands.
Snowmobile Trail Funding System. Currently approximately $14.2 million is appropriated annually from the snowmobile account for the development, maintenance and operation of the state snowmobile system. $8.4 million is used to run the grant programs to the clubs. An additional $5.8 million is appropriated to the DNR for enforcement, state trails and management of the snowmobile account.
During the 2002 Legislative Session, MnUSA requested that funds be appropriated from the snowmobile account to add approximately 2500 miles of trails funded through local volunteer snowmobile clubs to the grant system. The funds were available in the snowmobile account due to an increase in unrefunded gas tax and the increased number of registered snowmobiles. Many of these locally funded trails are in the western part of the state and these areas benefit greatly from the economic impact of the growth of winter tourism.
During the 2005 Legislative Session the trail pass requirement previously for just out of state visitors was expanded to include all snowmobiles ridden on trails in Minnesota, including by Minnesota residents. These additional funds are used to groom and maintain grant-in-aid trails and provide a portion of the requested increase in reimbursement for grooming and equipment used in maintaining trails.
The grants to the clubs provide reimbursement for a portion of their operating costs. the grants are paid on a per mile basis to the clubs based on the area of the state where the trails are located.
Minnesota's snowmobile trail system is the backbone of winter tourism in the state. With a present grant-in-aid trail budget of $8.4 million going to the clubs to build and maintain approximately 90% of the trails, a conservative $200 million is generated in tourism dollars. A recently completed economic impact study reports the snowmobile effect on Minnesota includes 8,000 jobs with wages and salaries of $245 million; $529 million in gross state product; $1 billion in gross receipts/sales and $56 milion in state and local tax revenues. Snowmobiling is an important industry to Minnesota and adequate funding is necessary to provide the trails.
12/07
I got a reply from our state representative, saying he would consider my comments when and if the legislation appears on the floor. "...we encourage you to send us any information or updates we might have missed on the issue."
People that are asking for templates for the letter to you reps. I dont know if a template is the right thing to do I agree a lot of people need an idea of where to start but the truth is that if you do a template it dosent carry as much weight, they start to see that same photo copy comming through and they look at as a flooding campain as opposed to people that are pationate about an issue. I make mine as personal as I could. Here is a coyp Of a letter I put together for my club and our county meeting that just kind of states the facts of what is going on, I the used the facts to draft my letter. It basicly states everything that other people have stated but if you need a place to start this should help
Doug
The MRR is not your friend save your sport
The MRR http://www.mnresponsiblerec.org/ is starting a campaign to take your money away from you. They are once again painting us as the bad guys; they make statements like this one. (Copied from their web site)
“Most Minnesotans, including elected officials, do not understand that every time we buy gas in Minnesota citizen taxpayers pay into accounts for snowmobiles, ATVs, dirt-bike motorcycles, four-wheel drive trucks and motorboats.
3% - $16 million - in gas-tax revenue is annually diverted to motorized recreation with many unwanted effects.
With the I-35W bridge collapse and bridge inspections statewide pointing to our crumbling infrastructure, Minnesota's legislature is considering increasing the state's gas-tax by five to ten cents (current twenty cents per gallon tax). The legislature has not amended the gas-tax for almost twenty years. A significant and time-limited window of opportunity exists to end gas-tax diversions to motorized recreation “
It is true motorized recreation is funded partially from the gas tax it needs to be pointed out that it is the non-refunded gas tax. Q: What does this mean? A: The gas tax was designed as a user tax: the more you drive on the roads, the more damage you do to the roads. The gas tax goes to fix and maintain the roads of Minnesota. This is a fair system unless you are paying the tax and do not use the roads. Think of farmers, it would be unfair to ask them to pay the gas tax for the machinery used on the farm as he is not using it on the roads. This is why he is able to by fuel non-taxed.
The same option should be true for people buying fuel for snowmobiling, atvs, and boats. The problems posed by a plan like this would be a logistical nightmare for the consumer and the state. So years ago, the government decided to take the tax money that off road people were paying and dedicated it to the development and maintenance of off road trail systems. The result of this decision has been great, in Minnesota we have an amazing trail system for snowmobiles, and the atv system although not as extensive is developing. The money is also used by the DNR to build access ramps on lake and stocking of lakes with fish.
If you read though the MRR web site you will find that their one goal in existence is to eliminate all motorized recreation. They are doing a good job blocking every proposed atv trail in red tape and environmental studies. Their new and quite frankly, smart approach is to go after the money that we are paying every time we put gas in our tanks. This is your money, you paid and it should go to help maintain your trails and freedom to ride in the state of Minnesota.
This year is an important one; the MRR has on its board of advisors Representative Alice Hausman of the Minnesota State Legislature. She is co-authoring a bill to take your money away; the main problem for us is that she is a very powerful person in the house. We need to block her at every turn to ensure the future of our trails and sports.
What can you do?
1. Educate your self on the MRR read through their web site http://www.mnresponsiblerec.org/.
2. Join a local club that promotes the sport that you enjoy
http://www.mnsnomobiler.org
http://www.atvam.org
3. Become politically involved: below is a list of the people that will be seeing this bill come through committee, tell them how you feel about it. http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/Districtfinder.asp
Sen. Steve Murphy, Chair, Senate Transportation Committee;
Rep. Bernard Lieder,Chair, House Transportation Finance Committee and Rep. Frank Hornstein Chair,Transportation and Transit Policy Subcommittee, Committee Members and Staff
Doug
The MRR is not your friend save your sport
The MRR http://www.mnresponsiblerec.org/ is starting a campaign to take your money away from you. They are once again painting us as the bad guys; they make statements like this one. (Copied from their web site)
“Most Minnesotans, including elected officials, do not understand that every time we buy gas in Minnesota citizen taxpayers pay into accounts for snowmobiles, ATVs, dirt-bike motorcycles, four-wheel drive trucks and motorboats.
3% - $16 million - in gas-tax revenue is annually diverted to motorized recreation with many unwanted effects.
With the I-35W bridge collapse and bridge inspections statewide pointing to our crumbling infrastructure, Minnesota's legislature is considering increasing the state's gas-tax by five to ten cents (current twenty cents per gallon tax). The legislature has not amended the gas-tax for almost twenty years. A significant and time-limited window of opportunity exists to end gas-tax diversions to motorized recreation “
It is true motorized recreation is funded partially from the gas tax it needs to be pointed out that it is the non-refunded gas tax. Q: What does this mean? A: The gas tax was designed as a user tax: the more you drive on the roads, the more damage you do to the roads. The gas tax goes to fix and maintain the roads of Minnesota. This is a fair system unless you are paying the tax and do not use the roads. Think of farmers, it would be unfair to ask them to pay the gas tax for the machinery used on the farm as he is not using it on the roads. This is why he is able to by fuel non-taxed.
The same option should be true for people buying fuel for snowmobiling, atvs, and boats. The problems posed by a plan like this would be a logistical nightmare for the consumer and the state. So years ago, the government decided to take the tax money that off road people were paying and dedicated it to the development and maintenance of off road trail systems. The result of this decision has been great, in Minnesota we have an amazing trail system for snowmobiles, and the atv system although not as extensive is developing. The money is also used by the DNR to build access ramps on lake and stocking of lakes with fish.
If you read though the MRR web site you will find that their one goal in existence is to eliminate all motorized recreation. They are doing a good job blocking every proposed atv trail in red tape and environmental studies. Their new and quite frankly, smart approach is to go after the money that we are paying every time we put gas in our tanks. This is your money, you paid and it should go to help maintain your trails and freedom to ride in the state of Minnesota.
This year is an important one; the MRR has on its board of advisors Representative Alice Hausman of the Minnesota State Legislature. She is co-authoring a bill to take your money away; the main problem for us is that she is a very powerful person in the house. We need to block her at every turn to ensure the future of our trails and sports.
What can you do?
1. Educate your self on the MRR read through their web site http://www.mnresponsiblerec.org/.
2. Join a local club that promotes the sport that you enjoy
http://www.mnsnomobiler.org
http://www.atvam.org
3. Become politically involved: below is a list of the people that will be seeing this bill come through committee, tell them how you feel about it. http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/Districtfinder.asp
Sen. Steve Murphy, Chair, Senate Transportation Committee;
Rep. Bernard Lieder,Chair, House Transportation Finance Committee and Rep. Frank Hornstein Chair,Transportation and Transit Policy Subcommittee, Committee Members and Staff
QUOTE(dbarlow @ Feb 25 2008, 02:02 PM)
People that are asking for templates for the letter to you reps. I dont know if a template is the right thing to do I agree a lot of people need an idea of where to start but the truth is that if you do a template it dosent carry as much weight, they start to see that same photo copy comming through and they look at as a flooding campain as opposed to people that are pationate about an issue. I make mine as personal as I could. Here is a coyp Of a letter I put together for my club and our county meeting that just kind of states the facts of what is going on, I the used the facts to draft my letter. It basicly states everything that other people have stated but if you need a place to start this should help
A template is better than no letter at all. I'm simply looking for something to start with that I can plagarize.
I'll fill some of my own thoughts and comments in and probably take some out as well, but I was simply looking for (and suggesting) a starting point.Thanks.
Here is a breif thought I had about this subject. They want our funding taken away, we should also demand that their funding get taken away. See, we spend enough money and pay enough permits where we actually stand a chance, they don't. If they don't get state funding for their paved trails, they don't get new ones and they don't get maintained.
TTT, keep writing those letters to your representatives, already got scammed with one liberal POS tax boondoggle bill this session so the libs have some momentum.
Took me all of three minutes to have a conversation with my Representative and Senators offices voicing opposition to SF3087 proposed by Dibble/Anderson/Hausman. Get on the phone people.
http://geo.commissions.leg.state.mn.us/districts/start.html
http://geo.commissions.leg.state.mn.us/districts/start.html
QUOTE(hugh @ Feb 26 2008, 04:17 PM)
Took me all of three minutes to have a conversation with my Representative and Senators offices voicing opposition to SF3087 proposed by Dibble/Anderson/Hausman. Get on the phone people.
http://geo.commissions.leg.state.mn.us/districts/start.html
http://geo.commissions.leg.state.mn.us/districts/start.html
Here's a link to the text of the bill:
http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/bin/unof...p;number=sf3087
You can go here:
http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/legis.asp
and enter SF3087 in the text box under "Senate" to view more information about it.
Sent my letters off today.
Letters sent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just sent my letter to my Rep.
Let's get this rolling folks...
Chime in after you've sent yours.
Get involved or get used to riding in ditches only....
Let's get this rolling folks...
Chime in after you've sent yours.
Get involved or get used to riding in ditches only....
Here's the response I got from my rep, who just happens to be my neighbor.
Interesting, I will poke around down here and see what I can find out. My first suggestion would be to have the snowmobile members send out an action alert and contact us about these 2 bills. This is the first formal news that I have heard of regarding this issue. (outside of our conversation last week). I will keep it on the radar and let you know if I find anything out. Please keep me posted on what you get from membership.
Interesting, I will poke around down here and see what I can find out. My first suggestion would be to have the snowmobile members send out an action alert and contact us about these 2 bills. This is the first formal news that I have heard of regarding this issue. (outside of our conversation last week). I will keep it on the radar and let you know if I find anything out. Please keep me posted on what you get from membership.
QUOTE(avrg.joe @ Feb 27 2008, 11:03 AM)
Here's the response I got from my rep, who just happens to be my neighbor.
Interesting, I will poke around down here and see what I can find out. My first suggestion would be to have the snowmobile members send out an action alert and contact us about these 2 bills. This is the first formal news that I have heard of regarding this issue. (outside of our conversation last week). I will keep it on the radar and let you know if I find anything out. Please keep me posted on what you get from membership.
Interesting, I will poke around down here and see what I can find out. My first suggestion would be to have the snowmobile members send out an action alert and contact us about these 2 bills. This is the first formal news that I have heard of regarding this issue. (outside of our conversation last week). I will keep it on the radar and let you know if I find anything out. Please keep me posted on what you get from membership.
I guess now we know that they will try to sneak this through with out telling the whole story.
QUOTE(delineatedevice @ Feb 27 2008, 12:06 PM)
I guess now we know that they will try to sneak this through with out telling the whole story.
That's exactly why we ALL need to contact our reps to make sure they are aware of it and don't let it slip by buried in some other piece of legislation or bill.
Act now.
QUOTE(emtgreg @ Feb 27 2008, 11:02 AM)
I just sent my letter to my Rep.
Let's get this rolling folks...
Chime in after you've sent yours.
Get involved or get used to riding in ditches only....
Let's get this rolling folks...
Chime in after you've sent yours.
Get involved or get used to riding in ditches only....
Sent one off to my State Reprensentative....Mark Olson...R-Big Lake!
Let's keep it rolling boys!
JMY
I sent a couple letters to both Ely and Two Harbors Chamber of Commerce. Told them to consider writing or contacting their legislators if they want to keep sledding a viable tourist function in their respective areas.
Bob Klein is our MNUSA rep for region seven, I had an interesting conversation with him this last weekend. He told me the guy who is running this MRR was tossed out of Michigan for starting this kind of crap, among other things. Said the guy will lie to your face about wanting to preserve sledding, then turn right around and try to remove them from the planet. A real loose wire. He's (Bob is) going to attend the meeting in St. Paul on the 19th, I'll talk with him again, I'll prolly go, too.
Bob Klein is our MNUSA rep for region seven, I had an interesting conversation with him this last weekend. He told me the guy who is running this MRR was tossed out of Michigan for starting this kind of crap, among other things. Said the guy will lie to your face about wanting to preserve sledding, then turn right around and try to remove them from the planet. A real loose wire. He's (Bob is) going to attend the meeting in St. Paul on the 19th, I'll talk with him again, I'll prolly go, too.
QUOTE(D-rail @ Feb 27 2008, 04:54 PM)
I sent a couple letters to both Ely and Two Harbors Chamber of Commerce. Told them to consider writing or contacting their legislators if they want to keep sledding a viable tourist function in their respective areas.
Bob Klein is our MNUSA rep for region seven, I had an interesting conversation with him this last weekend. He told me the guy who is running this MRR was tossed out of Michigan for starting this kind of crap, among other things. Said the guy will lie to your face about wanting to preserve sledding, then turn right around and try to remove them from the planet. A real loose wire. He's going to attend the meeting in St. Paul on the 19th, I'll talk with him again, I'll prolly go, too.
Bob Klein is our MNUSA rep for region seven, I had an interesting conversation with him this last weekend. He told me the guy who is running this MRR was tossed out of Michigan for starting this kind of crap, among other things. Said the guy will lie to your face about wanting to preserve sledding, then turn right around and try to remove them from the planet. A real loose wire. He's going to attend the meeting in St. Paul on the 19th, I'll talk with him again, I'll prolly go, too.
Interesting! Once a lying liberal, always a lying liberal. Guess we know what side of the aisle he votes on. That's what scares me if "her lowness, Hillary" gets elected.
Good point about the chamber of commerce. I'm drafting my letter right now.
This was prepared by MNUSA (Minnesota United Snowmobile Association) and sent to our local club members, by our club president.
Good background facts and info for those legislator letters.
How the Snowmobilers Pay for Their Trails
Every time a snowmobiler buys gasoline for his/her snowmobile in our state, the $.20 per gallon
gas tax that is paid at the pump, goes into the snowmobile dedicated account. The gas tax paid at
the pump is a user fee. If we put the gasoline in our motor vehicle, the tax goes to roads. If we
put the gasoline in our boats, the gas tax goes to boat landings. Farmers are able to purchase
gasoline for their non-road farm equipment without paying the gas tax. Based on studies done
by the legislature, the legislature has determined that 1% of the state’s annually collected
unrefunded gas-tax revenues are attributed to snowmobile gas purchases. This user fee is
approximately $5 million each year.
Snowmobilers also pay snowmobile registration fees and trail permits to fund the snowmobile
trail program. The amount appropriated by the legislature to fund the program for FYE 6/30/08
and 6/30/09 is $14.2 million. These funds are available from the gas tax, snowmobile
registration and trail permit receipts. $8.4 million is paid to groom and maintain approximately
20,000 miles of trails through the grants-in-aid program and the balance goes to the Department
of Natural Resources for program administration, enforcement and grooming and maintenance of
approximately 2,000 miles of state snowmobile trails. No general fund dollars pay for the
snowmobile program.
Grants-in-aid funds are paid to a local unit of government based on the number of miles in a trail
system. In many cases, the local unit of government contracts with a local non-profit
corporation, generally a snowmobile club, to do the trail maintenance and grooming. The funds
pay for equipment purchase and rental, fuel, culverts, bridges, signage, trail maps and insurance
necessary to do the trail work. The grant amounts are based on an average reimbursement of
65% of equipment use and labor for snowmobile trail maintenance and 90% of the cost of the
equipment use and labor used for trail grooming. Club members volunteer their time and often
hold fund raisers to help pay for the work on the trails which they are providing to the general
public.
In January of 2003, a Legislative Audit Report on State Funded Trails for Motorized Recreation
was presented and found ... “snowmobiles have gained a level of acceptance in Minnesota and
contributed millions of tourism dollars to the state’s economy.” The oversight concerns
expressed in the 2003 audit on the snowmobile program have been addressed in program
changes. Each year the Department of Natural Resources conducts program reviews of the grant
recipients. All grants reviewed are being managed in accordance with the program requirements.
Snowmobiling is important to Minnesota’s economy. Minnesota’s snowmobile trail system is
the backbone of winter tourism in the state. With a snowmobile trail system budget of $14.2
million, a conservative $200 million is generated in tourism dollars. A recently completed
economic impact study reports the snowmobile effect on Minnesota includes 8,000 jobs with
wages and salaries of $245 million; $529 million in gross state product; $1 billion in gross
receipts/sales and $56 million in state and local tax revenues. Snowmobiling is an important
industry to Minnesota and the extensive trail system is provided to the public through
snowmobile user fees.
Public funds provide bicycle trails.
Good background facts and info for those legislator letters.
How the Snowmobilers Pay for Their Trails
Every time a snowmobiler buys gasoline for his/her snowmobile in our state, the $.20 per gallon
gas tax that is paid at the pump, goes into the snowmobile dedicated account. The gas tax paid at
the pump is a user fee. If we put the gasoline in our motor vehicle, the tax goes to roads. If we
put the gasoline in our boats, the gas tax goes to boat landings. Farmers are able to purchase
gasoline for their non-road farm equipment without paying the gas tax. Based on studies done
by the legislature, the legislature has determined that 1% of the state’s annually collected
unrefunded gas-tax revenues are attributed to snowmobile gas purchases. This user fee is
approximately $5 million each year.
Snowmobilers also pay snowmobile registration fees and trail permits to fund the snowmobile
trail program. The amount appropriated by the legislature to fund the program for FYE 6/30/08
and 6/30/09 is $14.2 million. These funds are available from the gas tax, snowmobile
registration and trail permit receipts. $8.4 million is paid to groom and maintain approximately
20,000 miles of trails through the grants-in-aid program and the balance goes to the Department
of Natural Resources for program administration, enforcement and grooming and maintenance of
approximately 2,000 miles of state snowmobile trails. No general fund dollars pay for the
snowmobile program.
Grants-in-aid funds are paid to a local unit of government based on the number of miles in a trail
system. In many cases, the local unit of government contracts with a local non-profit
corporation, generally a snowmobile club, to do the trail maintenance and grooming. The funds
pay for equipment purchase and rental, fuel, culverts, bridges, signage, trail maps and insurance
necessary to do the trail work. The grant amounts are based on an average reimbursement of
65% of equipment use and labor for snowmobile trail maintenance and 90% of the cost of the
equipment use and labor used for trail grooming. Club members volunteer their time and often
hold fund raisers to help pay for the work on the trails which they are providing to the general
public.
In January of 2003, a Legislative Audit Report on State Funded Trails for Motorized Recreation
was presented and found ... “snowmobiles have gained a level of acceptance in Minnesota and
contributed millions of tourism dollars to the state’s economy.” The oversight concerns
expressed in the 2003 audit on the snowmobile program have been addressed in program
changes. Each year the Department of Natural Resources conducts program reviews of the grant
recipients. All grants reviewed are being managed in accordance with the program requirements.
Snowmobiling is important to Minnesota’s economy. Minnesota’s snowmobile trail system is
the backbone of winter tourism in the state. With a snowmobile trail system budget of $14.2
million, a conservative $200 million is generated in tourism dollars. A recently completed
economic impact study reports the snowmobile effect on Minnesota includes 8,000 jobs with
wages and salaries of $245 million; $529 million in gross state product; $1 billion in gross
receipts/sales and $56 million in state and local tax revenues. Snowmobiling is an important
industry to Minnesota and the extensive trail system is provided to the public through
snowmobile user fees.
Public funds provide bicycle trails.
top
got mine sent to Jeremy Kalin and Rick Olseen
Letters sent.
Letters sent....& thanks for all the great info. Everyone keep the letters flowing and the rep's phones ringing.
Flats...heck of a club pres you have there.
Flats...heck of a club pres you have there.
QUOTE(bigsnowman @ Feb 29 2008, 07:01 PM)
Letters sent....& thanks for all the great info. Everyone keep the letters flowing and the rep's phones ringing.
hope to have a full house March 19
I got a rough draft of my letter ready to go but I'm confused on the numbers. In one post it says that we only get one percent of one percent of the gas tax refunded back. But then in another post the MnUSA says we get 1%, which is it. I'm thinking I might shy away from hard numbers and stick to the principles behind the situation. They'll still get the gist of it and where I stand.
One more thing, screw sending letters to just your reps in your district. Have a couple hundred copies ran off or whatever it is and send one to every single member of the state senate and house of reps. When the stud ban hit I did just that. And I delievered the stack to the capital building where one got stuck in every mail slot. I got about 10 or 11 responses out of about 200 letters so I know they got delievered.
Also where and when is that thing again March 19th???
One more thing, screw sending letters to just your reps in your district. Have a couple hundred copies ran off or whatever it is and send one to every single member of the state senate and house of reps. When the stud ban hit I did just that. And I delievered the stack to the capital building where one got stuck in every mail slot. I got about 10 or 11 responses out of about 200 letters so I know they got delievered.
Also where and when is that thing again March 19th???
best western kelly Inn
I94 & marion street , St.Paul
4pm till 7 pm
I94 & marion street , St.Paul
4pm till 7 pm
Well I got my letter all finnished. I proof read it and proof read it and I still caught one grammar error after I ran off the 201 copies. That's the total number if any are interested. There's 67 Minnesota State Senators and 134 members of the State House of Representatives. I plan on running them down to the Capitol on my break tomorrow. I also plan on attending the meeting 03/19. I have a buddy in the Sno-Barons and they supposedly have a big group going. I would think the that Cat and Polaris and all the Minnesota dealers and all the ma & pa motels and restaurants in the northern part of the state would be up in arms.
From the MRR website: Get ready to puke !!!
Winter Quiet
MRR was founded protecting winter quiet. As we celebrate our 10th Anniversary we celebrate the neighborhoods, communities and retreats where winter quiet, fresh air and personal safety have been protected or restored. MRR's 10th Anniversary is a celebration of MRR members, property owners and taxpayers workinging together to simply say "No" to the noise, fumes, danger to others and damage to our environment caused by snowmobiling and snowmobile clubs.
Minnesota's 21,000 miles of snowmobile trails traverse private property and road right-ofways and public land statewide. Often, no easements exists for these publicly funded trails. Often trails cross private property where they are now longer wanted. An increasing number of private property owners are learning that they control access to and can close motorized routes on their property. Information like MRR's one-page "Easement Education" fact sheet on the left has impowered these property owners
What most Minnesotans don't know, is that everytime we but a gasoline we pay into DNR accounts to promote snowmobiling and other forms of motorized recreation. In fiscal year 2005, Minnesota taxpayers paid over $5 million at the gas pump into an account for snowmobiles and for the very noise and fumes many are traveling to avoid. Learn how you can help reform or abolish public funding of motorized recreation by clicking on the Toolkit for the Quiet Majority to the left.
Expect peace and quiet...
Winter Quiet
MRR was founded protecting winter quiet. As we celebrate our 10th Anniversary we celebrate the neighborhoods, communities and retreats where winter quiet, fresh air and personal safety have been protected or restored. MRR's 10th Anniversary is a celebration of MRR members, property owners and taxpayers workinging together to simply say "No" to the noise, fumes, danger to others and damage to our environment caused by snowmobiling and snowmobile clubs.
Minnesota's 21,000 miles of snowmobile trails traverse private property and road right-ofways and public land statewide. Often, no easements exists for these publicly funded trails. Often trails cross private property where they are now longer wanted. An increasing number of private property owners are learning that they control access to and can close motorized routes on their property. Information like MRR's one-page "Easement Education" fact sheet on the left has impowered these property owners
What most Minnesotans don't know, is that everytime we but a gasoline we pay into DNR accounts to promote snowmobiling and other forms of motorized recreation. In fiscal year 2005, Minnesota taxpayers paid over $5 million at the gas pump into an account for snowmobiles and for the very noise and fumes many are traveling to avoid. Learn how you can help reform or abolish public funding of motorized recreation by clicking on the Toolkit for the Quiet Majority to the left.
Expect peace and quiet...
QUOTE(nacapster @ Mar 4 2008, 04:27 PM)
I got a rough draft of my letter ready to go but I'm confused on the numbers. In one post it says that we only get one percent of one percent of the gas tax refunded back. But then in another post the MnUSA says we get 1%, which is it. I'm thinking I might shy away from hard numbers and stick to the principles behind the situation. They'll still get the gist of it and where I stand.
One more thing, screw sending letters to just your reps in your district. Have a couple hundred copies ran off or whatever it is and send one to every single member of the state senate and house of reps. When the stud ban hit I did just that. And I delievered the stack to the capital building where one got stuck in every mail slot. I got about 10 or 11 responses out of about 200 letters so I know they got delievered.
Also where and when is that thing again March 19th???
One more thing, screw sending letters to just your reps in your district. Have a couple hundred copies ran off or whatever it is and send one to every single member of the state senate and house of reps. When the stud ban hit I did just that. And I delievered the stack to the capital building where one got stuck in every mail slot. I got about 10 or 11 responses out of about 200 letters so I know they got delievered.
Also where and when is that thing again March 19th???
Thats a question I have also. The best I can come up with is it is 1% of 1% of the total gas tax revenue, or 1% of the unrefunded gas tax. But that doesn't make sense either, because that would imply that the total unrefunded tax is 1% of the total gas tax revenue.
Either way one thing to keep in mind is, that as the gas tax goes up this next year we will be talking about alot more of OUR tax dollars that we are fighting for.
Well, I did my part. I hand delivered my 201 copies to the state offices bldg and the capitol today. If anyone else has a notion to do this the postal rooms are in the basement / tunnel level. The House of Reps mail room is in the basement of the state offices bldg just to the left of the capitol as you approach from the front. Then you have to take the tunnel to the right and up the hill and the Senate mail room is right by the second stair case you come to on the right hand side. I'm also hoping to speak at the meeting in front of some legislators if given the opportunity. I wouldn't do too lengthy of a speech but just make a couple quick common sense points to let them know where I stand. I hope the troops really get rallied over this one. We need more letters and more phone calls than the MRR group makes to have a prayer of fending this bill off. The majority of the legislation leans to the left and the left usually caters to the green groups. We are in the majority here. There's no way MRR is bigger than MnUSA, ATVAM, and Mn 4wd assoc. We all need to band together on this one. ATVs and off-road trucks are in their sights as well. I hope those groups are represented at the mtg as well.
QUOTE(nacapster @ Mar 6 2008, 04:25 PM)
Well, I did my part. I hand delivered my 201 copies to the state offices bldg and the capitol today. If anyone else has a notion to do this the postal rooms are in the basement / tunnel level. The House of Reps mail room is in the basement of the state offices bldg just to the left of the capitol as you approach from the front. Then you have to take the tunnel to the right and up the hill and the Senate mail room is right by the second stair case you come to on the right hand side. I'm also hoping to speak at the meeting in front of some legislators if given the opportunity. I wouldn't do too lengthy of a speech but just make a couple quick common sense points to let them know where I stand. I hope the troops really get rallied over this one. We need more letters and more phone calls than the MRR group makes to have a prayer of fending this bill off. The majority of the legislation leans to the left and the left usually caters to the green groups. We are in the majority here. There's no way MRR is bigger than MnUSA, ATVAM, and Mn 4wd assoc. We all need to band together on this one. ATVs and off-road trucks are in their sights as well. I hope those groups are represented at the mtg as well.
Keep this info at the top! I sent my letters.
Two more introduced to try to take away the unrefunded gas tax, HF3781 in the House and SF3468. Mention opposition to those to your Rep and Senator.
This was posted on another site today:
QUOTE
From senator Rick Olseen
Thank you for contacting my office regarding ending the use of gas tax money for motorized recreation. I always appreciate hearing from constituents and hope to address your concerns.
Based on a vote today in the Minnesota Senate regarding taxes, which I supported, ATV's will actually being get an increase in funding from gas tax revenue and snowmobile and boat uses from the gas tax will stay at the same percentages they receive today. Hence, assuming the provision becomes law, there will be no reductions in gas tax funding for motorized recreation.
Thank you for contacting my office regarding ending the use of gas tax money for motorized recreation. I always appreciate hearing from constituents and hope to address your concerns.
Based on a vote today in the Minnesota Senate regarding taxes, which I supported, ATV's will actually being get an increase in funding from gas tax revenue and snowmobile and boat uses from the gas tax will stay at the same percentages they receive today. Hence, assuming the provision becomes law, there will be no reductions in gas tax funding for motorized recreation.
HAHA That's almost like a shot at MRR, by raising the amount givin to ATVers.
QUOTE(311Hemi @ Mar 7 2008, 10:24 AM)
This was posted on another site today:
So does this mean the provision they voted on passed in the senate and just needs to pass in the house to become law??? Could this mean disaster has been averted, at least for now??? Hmmm, I still plan on going to the meeting next Wed to show support but maybe the issue will have been decided by then...
QUOTE(nacapster @ Mar 12 2008, 10:46 AM)
So does this mean the provision they voted on passed in the senate and just needs to pass in the house to become law??? Could this mean disaster has been averted, at least for now??? Hmmm, I still plan on going to the meeting next Wed to show support but maybe the issue will have been decided by then...
Close, but a bill need a "companion bill" on the other side of the legislature. THen it would be debated. Would still need to be sighed by the Governor, or vetoed by the Gov.
But there are enough democrat votes to over ride a governor's veto, this session, should things get that far.
To answer your question, the threat IS STILL VERY MUCH ALIVE.
The bill DOES have a companion now, and also has a couple other variations. Bill numbers are SF-3087 (the original), now in addition HF-3781 (Companion) , and a variation SF-3468.
So everyone's support is still needed , the battle is not over yet.
THanks for asking.
Minnesota Flats and all, thanks for keeping us informed.
I just joined MNUSA and am working on my letters to my area legislators.
I just joined MNUSA and am working on my letters to my area legislators.
finally got my letters out today.
From Torrey Westrom: received today!
Dear Darin,
I appreciate your email in opposition to a bill that would decrease the funding available for certain recreational activities in Minnesota.
I think you raise some good points in your email. It is understood that outdoor recreational activities involving snowmobiling and all-terrain vehicles is the lifeblood for many of our small, rural Minnesota towns. The trails winding through our scenic state allow people to experience our environment and also connect them to our towns, spurring these economies.
As you noted, there are bills this session that propose to eliminate the unrefunded gas tax revenue for motorized vehicles. Examples of these bills include Senate File 3087, authored by Senator Anderson (DFL – St. Paul) and House File 3781, authored by Rep. Jaros (DFL – Duluth). Both would move the revenue raised from the unrefunded gas tax on off-highway motorcycles, off-road vehicles, snowmobiles, and atvs and instead direct it to the Highway User Tax Distribution Fund (HUTDF), which funds our state’s roads and bridges.
The gas tax paid for use in boats, snowmobiles, and other recreational vehicles has historically been transferred into accounts to be used of purposes related to recreational use. This logic makes sense as the participants in these activities pay for the activity. In total, it looks like approximately $14 million a year is raised in revenue from the gas tax on recreational vehicles. The loss of that revenue will have a negative affect on motorized recreation and the economy in many areas of Greater Minnesota.
Also, I would like to note that the Tax Policy Bill passed by the House and Senate includes an increase in the gas tax revenue dedicated to ATV use. This increase proposal is because the current level is based on the number of ATVs in use nearly 20 years ago.
I agree that snowmobiling and other activities are important to our state’s recreational economy. Should this bill be heard in the House, I will keep your thoughts in mind, and I presently oppose this bill.
Once again, thank you for contacting me, and please keep in touch.
Dear Darin,
I appreciate your email in opposition to a bill that would decrease the funding available for certain recreational activities in Minnesota.
I think you raise some good points in your email. It is understood that outdoor recreational activities involving snowmobiling and all-terrain vehicles is the lifeblood for many of our small, rural Minnesota towns. The trails winding through our scenic state allow people to experience our environment and also connect them to our towns, spurring these economies.
As you noted, there are bills this session that propose to eliminate the unrefunded gas tax revenue for motorized vehicles. Examples of these bills include Senate File 3087, authored by Senator Anderson (DFL – St. Paul) and House File 3781, authored by Rep. Jaros (DFL – Duluth). Both would move the revenue raised from the unrefunded gas tax on off-highway motorcycles, off-road vehicles, snowmobiles, and atvs and instead direct it to the Highway User Tax Distribution Fund (HUTDF), which funds our state’s roads and bridges.
The gas tax paid for use in boats, snowmobiles, and other recreational vehicles has historically been transferred into accounts to be used of purposes related to recreational use. This logic makes sense as the participants in these activities pay for the activity. In total, it looks like approximately $14 million a year is raised in revenue from the gas tax on recreational vehicles. The loss of that revenue will have a negative affect on motorized recreation and the economy in many areas of Greater Minnesota.
Also, I would like to note that the Tax Policy Bill passed by the House and Senate includes an increase in the gas tax revenue dedicated to ATV use. This increase proposal is because the current level is based on the number of ATVs in use nearly 20 years ago.
I agree that snowmobiling and other activities are important to our state’s recreational economy. Should this bill be heard in the House, I will keep your thoughts in mind, and I presently oppose this bill.
Once again, thank you for contacting me, and please keep in touch.
I sent my emails to Rep.Dave Dill and Tom Bakk. Dill stated, inno uncertain terms, that he will no on the bill. Senator Bakk sent me back an email that said "I think we have killed that bill in the Senate".
IT DOES PAY TO LET YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS KNOW WHAT YOU WANT!
KMA...MRR! (kiss my a$$ MRR)
IT DOES PAY TO LET YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS KNOW WHAT YOU WANT!
KMA...MRR! (kiss my a$$ MRR)
QUOTE(oldcrow @ Mar 15 2008, 02:28 PM)
Minnesota Flats and all, thanks for keeping us informed.
I just joined MNUSA and am working on my letters to my area legislators.
I just joined MNUSA and am working on my letters to my area legislators.
I was just surfing about this great site and noticed that there is a bit of confusion about the funding that our GIA trails receive from the unrefunded gas tax. The correct number is 1% of 1% of the unrefunded gas tax.
Thanks again to Flats for being so kind as to keep everyone informed on this issue and thanks Oldcrow for becoming a member of MnUSA and supporting the sport and those volunteers who work hard to keep things going.
Keep those letters and emails going to your state representatives and please remember to be incredibly courteous and respectful in your messages.
whats this mean?
Senator Anderson moved that S.F. No. 3087 be withdrawn from the Committee on Environment
and Natural Resources and returned to its author. The motion prevailed.
Without objection, remaining on the Order of Business of Motions and Resolutions, the Senate
proceeded to the Order of Business of Introduction and First Reading of Senate Bills.
https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/revisor...sn=0&y=2007
Senator Anderson moved that S.F. No. 3087 be withdrawn from the Committee on Environment
and Natural Resources and returned to its author. The motion prevailed.
Without objection, remaining on the Order of Business of Motions and Resolutions, the Senate
proceeded to the Order of Business of Introduction and First Reading of Senate Bills.
https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/revisor...sn=0&y=2007
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.