By Jasmyn Belcher
Oswego, NY – A statewide snowmobile group is speaking out about potential cuts in funding for trail maintenance.
Governor David Paterson's budget proposes redirecting $5 million, or one-fifth of the snowmobile trail development and maintenance fund into the state's general fund. However, Dave Perkins, executive director of the State Snowmobile Association says that money is paid exclusively by snowmobilers for costs directly associated with the state and snowmobile club responsibilities.
Perkins also cites a previous statement from Paterson saying the snowmobiling industry contributes over $1 billion a year to the state's economy, mostly upstate.
"There are no snowmobile trails in metropolitan New York or downtown Syracuse, so it's in the areas where you've got businesses that are looking for every opportunity to have people come in and patronize their business. Snowmobiling does this for a lot of businesses all across the state," said Perkins.
Perkins is also concerned with what he calls another threat to the trails fund program. He says by law, the state can take 30 percent of the fund for the use of snowmobile trail development.
However, Perkins says the current budget changes the language to add public safety. According to Perkins, this could result in more money being used for unrelated projects.