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by Cameron Hanson
Managing Editor, Iowa Snowmobiler
On May 14, 2008, Iowa Gov. Chet Culver signed legislation calling
for the restoration of $1.7 million drained from state snowmobile
and all-terrain vehicle program reserves, culminating six weeks of
steady lobbying by the Iowa State Snowmobile Association and the
Iowa OHV Association.
"I thought I would never live to see the day that our depleted funds
would be reimbursed by the Iowa Legislature," began ISSA get our
money back, and we never quit trying. There was a lot of hard
work from ISSA members and snowmobilers across the state
contacting their legislators and requesting their support of this
much-needed reimbursement."
Hoermann emphasized it was a "joint effort" among grass-roots
snowmobilers and ATV owners to secure this fund restoration.
The legislation becomes effective July 1 with $950,000 returning
to the state snowmobile program and $750,000 heading back to
the ATV program.
"Our goal once we receive the money is to update our aging
groomer fleet and improve trail development opportunities. We will
work with the (Iowa Department of Natural Resources) very closely
on this initiative," Hoermann said. "Losing this money six years
ago set our program back in many ways, and we need to get it
back on its feet."
Working with lobbyists Mike Heller and Paula Feltner, members of
the ISSA's Emergency Funding and Legislation Committee (EFC)
made repeated attempts to introduce legislation to restore the
funds since their de-appropriation in 2002. All previous attempts
never lifted off until April 2 of this year, when Rep. Helen Miller
(D-Fort Dodge) introduced legislation calling for the
reimbursement.
"The money taken in 2002 was snowmobile and ATV registration
monies that were protected by law. These funds were not tax
dollars, but fees paid by snowmobilers and ATV riders," explained
EFC Committee Member and Past ISSA President Terry Durby.
"These monies were to be dedicated to the snow and ATV
programs for the purpose of purchase and maintenance of
equipment, development of trails, safety and education. These
funds are critical to our programs, and we had already determined
what they were to be allocated for when they were swept."
After its introduction, the proposed legislation embarked on a
roller-coaster ride at the State Capitol. Attached as an amendment
to the 2008-09 IDNR Appropriations Bill (HF 2662), the language
initailly failed in the House. Then the Senate picked the bill up with
the amendment and ratified both. The measure then returned to
the House where it finally passed and was sent it on to the
Governor's Office.
"Many calls were made to Gov. Culver's office asking him to sign
the bill with the amendment as written with no line-item vetoes,"
Hoermann said. "Congratulations to all the snowmobilers who
made calls and contacts and their legislators. May 14 was a good
day for snowmobiling in Iowa."
"We did a great job educating both the House and the Senate
about what this was really about and how to put their politics aside
to make this happen," Durby added. "Some key Democrats and
the Republican minority leader came to an agreement to push the
amendment through without a recorded roll call vote. This protects
both sides at election time."
"As you know from our previous communication, I understand how
important it is that the Legislature repay this money that was taken
from you folks several years ago. I am glad that we were able to
get this done," said Rep. Andrew Wenthe (D-Hawkeye) in an email
to ISSA Region 5 Director Dave Poock.
For more information, pick up a copy of the September 2008 issue
of the Iowa Snowmobiler magazine.
Managing Editor, Iowa Snowmobiler
On May 14, 2008, Iowa Gov. Chet Culver signed legislation calling
for the restoration of $1.7 million drained from state snowmobile
and all-terrain vehicle program reserves, culminating six weeks of
steady lobbying by the Iowa State Snowmobile Association and the
Iowa OHV Association.
"I thought I would never live to see the day that our depleted funds
would be reimbursed by the Iowa Legislature," began ISSA get our
money back, and we never quit trying. There was a lot of hard
work from ISSA members and snowmobilers across the state
contacting their legislators and requesting their support of this
much-needed reimbursement."
Hoermann emphasized it was a "joint effort" among grass-roots
snowmobilers and ATV owners to secure this fund restoration.
The legislation becomes effective July 1 with $950,000 returning
to the state snowmobile program and $750,000 heading back to
the ATV program.
"Our goal once we receive the money is to update our aging
groomer fleet and improve trail development opportunities. We will
work with the (Iowa Department of Natural Resources) very closely
on this initiative," Hoermann said. "Losing this money six years
ago set our program back in many ways, and we need to get it
back on its feet."
Working with lobbyists Mike Heller and Paula Feltner, members of
the ISSA's Emergency Funding and Legislation Committee (EFC)
made repeated attempts to introduce legislation to restore the
funds since their de-appropriation in 2002. All previous attempts
never lifted off until April 2 of this year, when Rep. Helen Miller
(D-Fort Dodge) introduced legislation calling for the
reimbursement.
"The money taken in 2002 was snowmobile and ATV registration
monies that were protected by law. These funds were not tax
dollars, but fees paid by snowmobilers and ATV riders," explained
EFC Committee Member and Past ISSA President Terry Durby.
"These monies were to be dedicated to the snow and ATV
programs for the purpose of purchase and maintenance of
equipment, development of trails, safety and education. These
funds are critical to our programs, and we had already determined
what they were to be allocated for when they were swept."
After its introduction, the proposed legislation embarked on a
roller-coaster ride at the State Capitol. Attached as an amendment
to the 2008-09 IDNR Appropriations Bill (HF 2662), the language
initailly failed in the House. Then the Senate picked the bill up with
the amendment and ratified both. The measure then returned to
the House where it finally passed and was sent it on to the
Governor's Office.
"Many calls were made to Gov. Culver's office asking him to sign
the bill with the amendment as written with no line-item vetoes,"
Hoermann said. "Congratulations to all the snowmobilers who
made calls and contacts and their legislators. May 14 was a good
day for snowmobiling in Iowa."
"We did a great job educating both the House and the Senate
about what this was really about and how to put their politics aside
to make this happen," Durby added. "Some key Democrats and
the Republican minority leader came to an agreement to push the
amendment through without a recorded roll call vote. This protects
both sides at election time."
"As you know from our previous communication, I understand how
important it is that the Legislature repay this money that was taken
from you folks several years ago. I am glad that we were able to
get this done," said Rep. Andrew Wenthe (D-Hawkeye) in an email
to ISSA Region 5 Director Dave Poock.
For more information, pick up a copy of the September 2008 issue
of the Iowa Snowmobiler magazine.
appreciation for her efforts in restoring the swept funds of 2002
back to the state’s snowmobile and ATV programs.
back to the state’s snowmobile and ATV programs.