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Looking ahead to the 2008 Iowa General Assembly, the ISSA’s
legislative plate is once again full. The Emergency Funding and
Legislation Committee (EFC) is revisiting the fuel tax initiative of years
past and, with support from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
(IDNR), is interested in recovering the sales taxes paid on snowmobiles.
IDNR Snowmobile Program Manager David Downing said recouping
sales and fuel taxes “only affects the people who recreate,” and if
passed, he envisioned the money could be earmarked for future trail
development. He also said he anticipates a shift in logic concerning the
distribution of trail funding.
“There’s a lot of interest in having multi-use trails now,” Downing said
during his IDNR report at the Waterloo convention. “I would look for
some form of legislation this year that suggests we need to have a major
oversight body to watch over the local jurisdictions so you don’t have
one user group occupying an entire trail or taking a link out of the middle
of it so you can’t ride.”
Both Downing and ISSA Lobbyist Mike Heller encouraged snowmobilers
to continue the engaging discourse with their respective lawmakers.
Heller said “contacting your legislators is almost fool-proof. Drop them
an email or invite them to a club meeting.” Or better yet, visit with them
in Des Moines during the Iowa Motorsports Coalition Legislative
Breakfast Feb. 5 at 7 a.m. at the Statehouse.
“Tell them you want a fair shot at getting your fair share of the trails,”
Heller said. “They care about what you’re saying and they want to get to
know you. Just ask them questions and tell them your story. Tell them
that you can help increase recreational opportunities in Iowa, and you
can make a difference."
legislative plate is once again full. The Emergency Funding and
Legislation Committee (EFC) is revisiting the fuel tax initiative of years
past and, with support from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
(IDNR), is interested in recovering the sales taxes paid on snowmobiles.
IDNR Snowmobile Program Manager David Downing said recouping
sales and fuel taxes “only affects the people who recreate,” and if
passed, he envisioned the money could be earmarked for future trail
development. He also said he anticipates a shift in logic concerning the
distribution of trail funding.
“There’s a lot of interest in having multi-use trails now,” Downing said
during his IDNR report at the Waterloo convention. “I would look for
some form of legislation this year that suggests we need to have a major
oversight body to watch over the local jurisdictions so you don’t have
one user group occupying an entire trail or taking a link out of the middle
of it so you can’t ride.”
Both Downing and ISSA Lobbyist Mike Heller encouraged snowmobilers
to continue the engaging discourse with their respective lawmakers.
Heller said “contacting your legislators is almost fool-proof. Drop them
an email or invite them to a club meeting.” Or better yet, visit with them
in Des Moines during the Iowa Motorsports Coalition Legislative
Breakfast Feb. 5 at 7 a.m. at the Statehouse.
“Tell them you want a fair shot at getting your fair share of the trails,”
Heller said. “They care about what you’re saying and they want to get to
know you. Just ask them questions and tell them your story. Tell them
that you can help increase recreational opportunities in Iowa, and you
can make a difference."
Mike Heller and Paula Feltner were
presented with a Plaque of Appreciation At
the 2007 ISSA Annual Convention in from
the ISSA's Emergency Funding and
Legislation Committee. The duo has been
keeping an eye on snowmobiling interests
at the Statehouse in Des Moines for the
past five years.
presented with a Plaque of Appreciation At
the 2007 ISSA Annual Convention in from
the ISSA's Emergency Funding and
Legislation Committee. The duo has been
keeping an eye on snowmobiling interests
at the Statehouse in Des Moines for the
past five years.