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ISSA Urges Refund to State
Snowmobile Program Account
By Cameron Hanson
Managing Editor, Iowa Snowmobiler
In September, Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack estimated the state’s
budget surplus in excess of $300 million. The news certainly caught the
ears of snowmobilers in Iowa, and within a week, the ISSA Board of
Directors approved a resolution requesting funds robbed from the state
snowmobile program four years ago be promptly reimbursed.
In May of 2002, citing budget shortfalls, the Iowa Legislature de-
appropriated nearly $1 million in snowmobile program reserves and
shifted that non-tax revenue to the general fund. To date, the money--
generated exclusively by snowmobile registration receipts--has not been
refunded, and the ISSA is running out of patience.
“We want our money back,” ISSA President Terry Durby said at the
board’s September meeting. “We will be working with our lobbyists in
either drafting a letter to the governor and leadership or working with our
friends in the Legislature to ensure our depleted funds are replenished.”
According to Vilsack’s press release, the budget surplus is estimated
to be $332.1 million. Nearly $50 million of the additional dollars will be
used to restore funds borrowed from the Senior Living Trust, $2.8
million will be allocated to the Regents Universities and an additional $160
million will be used to fund property tax credits for the current fiscal year.
The approximately $119.5 million remaining will be deposited into the
state’s savings accounts, which will have a combined balance of $511.3
or 9.6 percent of total state revenues. The combined reserve funds are
full when they reach 10 percent of revenues.
“We have consistently managed our budgets in a responsible way
which is why we have substantial rainy day accounts and a near perfect
bond rating,” said Vilsack. “While many states and the federal
government struggle with managing their finances, we have lived within
our budget, provided tax relief for eight consecutive years, and given
Iowans the services they expect from state government. We have done
all of this while continuing to plan for the future.”
Snowmobile Program Account
By Cameron Hanson
Managing Editor, Iowa Snowmobiler
In September, Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack estimated the state’s
budget surplus in excess of $300 million. The news certainly caught the
ears of snowmobilers in Iowa, and within a week, the ISSA Board of
Directors approved a resolution requesting funds robbed from the state
snowmobile program four years ago be promptly reimbursed.
In May of 2002, citing budget shortfalls, the Iowa Legislature de-
appropriated nearly $1 million in snowmobile program reserves and
shifted that non-tax revenue to the general fund. To date, the money--
generated exclusively by snowmobile registration receipts--has not been
refunded, and the ISSA is running out of patience.
“We want our money back,” ISSA President Terry Durby said at the
board’s September meeting. “We will be working with our lobbyists in
either drafting a letter to the governor and leadership or working with our
friends in the Legislature to ensure our depleted funds are replenished.”
According to Vilsack’s press release, the budget surplus is estimated
to be $332.1 million. Nearly $50 million of the additional dollars will be
used to restore funds borrowed from the Senior Living Trust, $2.8
million will be allocated to the Regents Universities and an additional $160
million will be used to fund property tax credits for the current fiscal year.
The approximately $119.5 million remaining will be deposited into the
state’s savings accounts, which will have a combined balance of $511.3
or 9.6 percent of total state revenues. The combined reserve funds are
full when they reach 10 percent of revenues.
“We have consistently managed our budgets in a responsible way
which is why we have substantial rainy day accounts and a near perfect
bond rating,” said Vilsack. “While many states and the federal
government struggle with managing their finances, we have lived within
our budget, provided tax relief for eight consecutive years, and given
Iowans the services they expect from state government. We have done
all of this while continuing to plan for the future.”